Portsmouth late show make up for disappointments, says Kenny Jackett
Posted Sunday, February 11, 2018 by PA
Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett admits it made a welcome change to see his side snatch victory at the death rather than see his side lose.
Matt Clarke provided the body blow and then Connor Chaplin the late sucker punch as Portsmouth snatched a 2-1 win at MK Dons.
Ike Ugbo’s first-half strike looked to have put the struggling Dons on track for some much-needed respite, the striker following up after Keiran Agard’s strike was parried by Luke McGee, but Clarke headed home with six minutes to go before Chaplin prodded home from Dion Donohue’s deflected pass in added time.
For elated Pompey boss Jackett, the pendulum swinging his side’s way at the death was a welcome change after late sickeners at the likes of Rotherham and Bristol Rovers last month.
“Obviously, I’m really pleased for the players because we’ve had a few late goals go in against us in January and we know it’s not a nice feeling, so to get two back late in the game has sort of balanced that out for us,” said Jackett.
“It was a frustrating day for us because we thought we were on top throughout and it was another tight game against a team battling for their lives in the relegation places.
“It was a very open game and it could have gone either way, and I’m delighted the players have been able to come out the other side of this because it’s been a tough period for us.
“I’m pleased for the supporters too because they’ve given us a great reception at the end.
“We’ve got a great period coming up and we’re going to try and put a run together to get to within those play-off places.”
Dons manager Dan Micciche saw his troops slip to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
“I’ve had three of their players apologise to me at the end saying we were robbed. It’s gone and we have to look forward but we should have had at least a point,” he said.
“I sound like a broken record and I know that but I think everybody in the stadium can see we are improving and I’ve not heard our supporters that loud for a while.
“We have had some good chances and their keeper has pulled off a couple of decent saves to keep them in it.
“We have to give Portsmouth credit as well because they’ve fought for their manager right to the end and got the three points.
“They’re all avoidable goals and we have to fix that quickly and we have to start taking our chances.
“We know we have to pick up points and we’re doing the best we can – we’re all in this together.
“We’re running out of games but it can turn very quickly. We have 18 cup finals left and each game is difficult at this level.”
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