Young Blues beaten 4-2 at Luton
Pompey Academy were unable to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, going down 4-2 at Luton.
They led at the break after Ben Close had beaten the offside trap and calmly found the net.
But Jemale McKenzie, Zane Banton and Charlie Smith all scored in the space of 11 second half minutes to turn the match on its head.
An impressive individual effort from Bradley Tarbuck – his fourth goal in as many games – gave the Blues hope.
But Luke Trotman netted two minutes from time to secure victory for the Hatters.
Academy coach Paul Hardyman said: “We told the lads at the break that they had to step up a gear in the second half.
“We’d performed well in the first half of our previous three matches, only to drop off a bit in the second.
“Unfortunately, we suffered a mad few minutes and conceded three goals, which was disappointing.
“We were in control for long periods of the match, but that bad spell cost us the chance to take anything from the game.”
Pompey: Raine; Haunstrup (Field 46), Smart, Whatmough (c), Medway; Rwakarambwe, Nilsen (Granger 60), Close, Kim; Tarbuck, Horsburgh
Sub not used: Chaplin