Midfielder says Blues were unlucky at Boro
Danny Hollands was pleased to return to the starting line-up at Stevenage.
But the midfielder – who wore the captain’s armband at the Lamex Stadium – could not prevent Pompey slipping to a 1-0 defeat.
Tom Pett drove a shot home after just three minutes and that ultimately proved enough to secure all three points for the hosts.
The Blues improved after their early setback, however, and Hollands felt the performance warranted more.
He said: “We conceded early on, but I thought we were the better team throughout the game and were unlucky not to get anything from it.
“It was a positive performance and now we have to try to take that into Saturday’s game.
“It’s never easy when you go a goal behind and it was similar to what’s happened on a few occasions recently.
“We bounced back from that, however, and played some nice stuff at times, so we’re disappointed to lose.
“I can’t really remember Stevenage having too many clear-cut chances and there were a few times when we went through.
“It was nice to be back in the side and part of a good team performance – it’s just a shame about the result.”
The match was Pompey’s first since Andy Awford’s departure as manager, with Gary Waddock taking caretaker charge until the end of the season.
Hollands said: “You never want anyone to lose their job, but it’s part and parcel of football and we have to keep doing our job.
“Our performances haven’t been good enough this season and we have to take a large share of the blame.”