by Neil Weld
Andy Awford believes the lack of a cutting edge cost Pompey Academy an FA Youth Cup clash with Manchester United.
Swansea booked a fifth round home date with the Red Devils after beating the Blues 2-1 at Fratton Park.
But Pompey created most of the game’s chances and took the lead through Alex Grant midway through the second half.
A fine free-kick from Terry Jones and a cross from James Loveridge that looped into the net late on saw the Welsh outfit progress, however.
Awford thought the Blues dominated the first half and should have made the most of the chances they created.
Pompey’s academy managed said: “I’m gutted for the lads. The effort and commitment they showed was tremendous – although that’s what we expect.
“The teams that score the first goal usually go on and win it, so we’re bitterly disappointed.
“We’ve had enough balls into the box and enough chances to have killed the game off before they scored the winner.
“We controlled the first half. For 44 minutes we were the dominant side and we should have capitalised on that and done better in the final third.
“Instead it’s taken Matt Gledhill to make a fantastic save right before the break to ensure we went in level.
“I’ve watched a few Swansea games on DVD – including their win against Liverpool in the last round. They’re organised and I don’t want to take anything away from them because they raised their tempo in the second half. Fair play to them – I wish them all the best against Manchester United in the next round.”
Both of Swansea’s goals were contentious with the visitors winning a soft free-kick for the first and a Pompey player appearing to be fouled in the build-up to the second.
Awford said: “A couple of decisions didn’t go our way and we’re disappointed with that. I’ll speak to the referee about that, but it’s not going to change the result.
“I said to the lads that I know they think he has contributed to the defeat but we had enough of the ball and enough entries into the final third, so that shouldn’t have mattered.
“To get to the top in football you have to experience adversity. It’s a good learning curve for them and that’s what youth team football’s all about.
“Now I’ve got to pick the lads up for a tough match against Arsenal at the weekend. We’ll change it around and get some fresh legs in for that game.”