by Johnny Moore at Moss Lane
Pompey so nearly completed a dramatic comeback against Manchester United in their FA Youth Cup third round tie at Altrincham’s Moss Lane.
They trailed at the break to Paul Pogba’s fine strike and the Red Devils looked to have the game wrapped up when Tom Fry’s own-goal and a William Keane strike gave the hosts a three-goal lead.
But Fry redeemed himself by saving a spot-kick, before a late Ryan Williams brace set up a tense finale.
United unsurprisingly started on the front foot and Larnell Cole was first to try his luck only to fire well wide after running at Pompey’s defence.
Fry was soon called into action, although the Blues keeper did not have to work too hard to keep out a tame effort from William Keane.
And Pompey then hit back with a couple of good chances of their own.
Billy Tsovolos shot over after being teed up by Carl Walshe, before Blues skipper Lewis Stockford saw his strike whistle just past the post.
The visitors were certainly not looking short of confidence and an audacious long-range effort from Williams drew a save from United keeper Sam Johnstone.
The Australian was soon troubling the hosts’ defence again, running at two defenders before eventually being stopped as he looked to burst into a shooting position.
But Pogba was inches away from giving United the lead with a free-kick that flew narrowly wide.
Pogba did find the target on 29 minutes, however, with a fine strike from 30 yards that arched over Fry and into the net.
Pompey looked to hit back immediately and Walshe tried to find an equaliser but his wayward shot flew high and wide.
At the other end, Cole drew a smart save from Fry before John Cofie’s shot rose narrowly over the crossbar.
Half Time: Manchester United 1 Pompey 0
United went straight on the offensive after the interval and Gyliano van Velzen put a tantalising cross across the face of goal that no red-shirted played could get on the end of.
The winger then angled a shot just wide before setting up Cole, who forced a fine save from Fry.
Pompey’s keeper was called into action moments later, saving with his legs as Pogba tried to force home another van Velzen cross.
But United’s relentless pressure finally paid off when Fry tried to clear a Cole corner but only succeeded in punching the ball into his own net.
And the hosts seemed to have put the game to bed when William Keane raced onto a through ball and slid the ball home on 61 minutes
But Williams was still looking lively and he drew a decent stop from Johnstone as the Blues enjoyed a rare foray forward.
United thought they had a fourth goal on 69 minutes but William Keane’s effort – following a neat passing move – was disallowed because the striker had drifted into an offside position
They soon had another chance to increase their lead when Sam Magri fouled William Keane in the box and referee Steve Copeland pointed to the spot.
The penalty was converted by van Velzen but he was made to take it again and this time Fry dived to his right to push the ball clear.
Pompey almost made United pay for that miss with goals on 84 and 90 minutes.
They pulled one back when Dan Butler and Alex Grant combined to tee up WILLIAMS (pictured), who fired the ball home.
And WILLIAMS burst through the home side’s defence to add a second at the death – but the Blues could not find another goal to take the tie into extra-time.
Pompey: Fry; Tallack, Bennett, Magri, Butler; Wheeler (Colson 69), Tsovolos, Stockford (c) (Harris 81), Higgins (Grant 46); Williams, Walshe
Subs not used: Gledhill, Seeley
Manchester United: Johnstone, M.Keane (Lingard 75), Fornasier (Massacci 75), Tunnicliffe, Blackett, Cole (Fryers 75), Thorpe (c), Pogba, van Velzen, W.Keane, Cofie
Subs not used: Jacob, Hendrie
Referee: Steve Copeland