Boss Kenny Jackett bemoans ‘missed opportunity’ for Pompey

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett described the Sky Bet League One leaders’ 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool as “a missed opportunity”.

Chris Long came off the bench to score a debut winner as the Seasiders picked up a first win in six matches.

Jackett said: “I thought the first half was a little bit of a non-event which obviously suits the away team more and we have to take responsibility for that.

“The second half we did pick up the tempo and played almost entirely in their half.

“We put a high number of balls into the box that didn’t fall for us and there was some really good play from their goalkeeper who came out to take crosses and they defended very, very well.

“I still felt going towards our fans in the second half we could up the tempo and win the game.

“We couldn’t find any clear-cut opportunities with a number of forward combinations with our substitutes.

“If you are looking at the big picture it’s a missed opportunity, but I look at individual games and winning games in this league is very hard, it’s not easy and we’ve won many games and only a few easily.

“It’s a very competitive league, a very tight league and we’re humble enough to know we have to work hard for everything we get.”

Long settled a scrappy game in Blackpool’s favour 15 minutes from time, neatly bringing the ball down in the area before drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Craig MacGillivary.

Club captain Brett Pitman squandered Pompey’s best chance of an equaliser by heading straight at Christoffer Mafoumbi from six yards.

Two minutes later centre-back Matt Clarke’s volley forced a good save from Mafoumbi.

Blackpool manager Terry McPhillips said: “I thought we were good today, to come here and put a performance on, and I thought we deserved to win.

“There’s no secret, we haven’t had any luck in the last few weeks.

“I don’t think our goalie had anything to do in the first half and once we scored of course they are going to throw the kitchen sink at it.

“I’m really pleased for the players, it was a great effort from the squad and the players who came on really helped us.

“We defended really well and I’m delighted for our keeper who has come here and kept a clean sheet.

“It was a cunning plan for Chris Long to come on and score the winner.

“He always scores against Portsmouth but he couldn’t start as I think his last game was October, but he was always going to come on for his debut.”