Jackett crestfallen after watching Pompey squander three-goal lead

Posted Sunday, February 17, 2019 by PA

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett was predictably frustrated after seeing his side surrender a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Southend.

Third placed Portsmouth seemed set for a comfortable Sky Bet League One victory after scoring three times inside the opening 31 minutes.

But a Simon Cox hat-trick enabled the Shrimpers to secure a share of the spoils and extend Portsmouth’s winless streak to six matches.

Jackett said: “To be 3-0 up and ultimately not win the game is very disappointing, we understand that.

“The team-sheet showed not many defensive players for both sides and I did think it would be quite open.

“It was a game with a lot of chances and a lot of goals and that was the case right from the first minute to the end.

“We’ve got ourselves in a great position and it could have been more with a disallowed goal decision against us, as well as a handball at the end.

“But we’re disappointed because we should see these games out.”

Portsmouth took the lead after just eight minutes when Jamal Lowe’s right wing cross was fumbled by Southend goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, enabling Bryn Morris to slam the ball home from close range.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Ben Close sent a low 20-yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net before Omar Bogle saw an effort ruled out for offside.

But, in the 31st minute, Portsmouth made it 3-0 with Oli Hawkins netting from close range after Morris’ shot had bounced back off the left post.

Southend got a goal back in the 36th minute with Cox heading home Sam Hart’s left wing cross and the experienced striker then netted a 78th minute penalty after Michael Kightly had been fouled by Morris.

The striker made it 3-3 three minutes from time to complete his first hat-trick in seven years with a fine curling effort after being teed up by Timothee Dieng – leaving manager Chris Powell happier than he was at half-time.

He said: “It’s huge for us. Obviously we wanted to win but after half an hour it was one of the most difficult situations we’ve been in in a long time.

“It was poor defending from us but the players have shown great courage, determination and character to come back.

“We tried to give them belief at half-time but it was all about the next goal.

“Nathan Bishop made a save just after half-time that was important and I think people might have forgotten about that.

“But Coxy has been great. He’s taken on the mantle of leading by example and took his goals really well.”