Boss says Blues were unlucky to lose FA Cup clash
Pompey have not won in the FA Cup since beating Tottenham in the semi-finals in 2010.
But Guy Whittingham felt they were unlucky not to upset League One Stevenage.
Francois Zoko’s first half brace and Gavin Mahon’s red card after the break looked to have ended any Blues hopes.
David Connolly reduced the deficit, however, before Pompey launched an all-out attack on the Boro goal.
Ultimately they were unable to find an equaliser, but Whittingham was still proud of his troops.
The Blues boss said: “We’re out of the FA Cup and that’s disappointing because we were by far the better side.
“We had more chances than them, more corners than them – we were on top of them more than they were on top of us.
“But they broke away quickly and had two great finishes from a very good striker. That’s what you get when you play a side from the level above.
“Joe Devera got beaten down the right hand side – although I think that was the only time he got beaten all game. Then Sonny missed a header, there’s a scramble and the ball ends up going in.
“Then, for the second goal, we got caught out defending the wrong side. But, having said that, we defended well for the rest of the game.
“In the first half we created numerous opportunities to score, but we didn’t take them. Jed Wallace even hit the post before they scored.
“It didn’t work out for us, but we carried on in the second half and looked even more dangerous when we were down to 10 men.
“The spirit and fitness showed and to keep putting them under so much pressure was fantastic.”
Mahon saw red after catching Filipe Morais with his elbow, but Whittingham felt that the hosts were let off on a couple of occasions.
He said: “Gavin led with his elbow and you’re always liable when you do that, but David Connolly also got a fat lip from an elbow and that was missed.
“I think everyone thought Andy Barcham should have won a penalty and there were a few decisions that didn’t go our way.”