Boss angry after Morecambe loss
Andy Awford blasted Pompey’s set-piece defending following a 3-1 defeat at Morecambe.
Alex Kenyon – who had only netted once previously this season – was twice left alone to score after the Blues had failed to deal with corners.
Teenager Conor Chaplin did reduce the deficit with his first senior strike after coming off the bench.
But Padraig Amond put the result beyond doubt in stoppage-time to seal another disappointing day on the road for Pompey.
It was the first two goals of the afternoon at the Globe Arena that left Awford fuming, however.
The Blues boss said: “We’ve been undone from two set-pieces, which is particularly disappointing.
“The first one was cleared behind for a corner when it should have been hooked up the pitch.
“And then we gave them a second bite of the cherry for the next goal, so our failure to deal with that has cost us.
“That one came against the run of play when we’d been on top, but you just can’t afford to defend like that.
“We started the second half quite well and had a shot cleared off the line and a couple of other opportunities that we didn’t take.
“But I’m delighted for Conor – that’s his first senior goal. He’s got a massive future and he gave us a glimpse of what he can do.”
Pompey were dealt a further blow, with Josh Passley being stretchered off after a sickening clash of heads.
Awford said: “He wasn't in a great way. He was unconscious when our physio got to him, although was awake when he went to hospital.
“Josh was out for the count straight away, so our thoughts are with him at the minute.”
Update: Passley underwent an x-ray and CAT scan which brought positive news, but he remained in in hospital on Saturday night as a precaution.