Late leveller denies Pompey
AFC Wimbledon grabbed a late equaliser to deny Pompey Reserves victory in a Final Third Development League clash at Furze Lane.
The Blues named a host of senior professionals in their line-up, including Ben Chorley, Jack Whatmough, Danny Hollands, Patrick Agyemang and Tom Craddock.
A second minute own-goal saw them take the lead, but a late David Fitzpatrick penalty meant they had to settle for a point.
Pompey broke the deadlock with their first attack following a surging run from inside his own half by Bradley Tarbuck.
The wing-back swapped passes with Agyemang and his cross was turned into his own net by Dons defender Mark Phillips.
That failed to halt the hosts’ attacking intent, though, and Craddock’s low drive forced a save from Joe McDonnell.
Craddock then linked up well with Tarbuck, but the teenager could only drag his shot wide of the post.
AFC Wimbledon were posing little threat, although the chances kept coming at the other end with Nick Awford firing over.
Craddock nearly got on the end of a Ben Close cross before Hollands drew another low stop from McDonnell.
The visitors finally created an opening late in the first half when Dan Agyei just failed to connect with Chace Jacquart’s ball into the box.
But there was still time for another Pompey opportunity before the break, with Chorley just clearing the crossbar after meeting a Close corner.
Half Time: Pompey 1 AFC Wimbledon 0
AFC Wimbledon had the hosts on the back-foot after the restart – a theme that occurred for much of the second half.
Phillips nearly atoned for his earlier error by levelling the match, but Michael Poke managed to claw away his header.
And it then took another fine stop from the goalkeeper to deny Egli Kaja from close range, with Dan Butler hacking clear the loose ball.
The visitors continued to push forward and broke quickly after Craddock had been dispossessed, only for Agyei to crash his shot against Chorley.
Pompey finally created some chances of their own in the final few minutes, the best of which saw McDonnell tip over Whatmough’s header.
But the Dons secured a share of the spoils on 88 minutes when Chorley upended Kaja in the box and David Fitzpatrick converted the resulting penalty.
Pompey: Poke; Chorley, Field, Whatmough; Tarbuck, Close, Awford (Maloney 71), Hollands, Butler; Agyemang (Chaplin 78), Craddock
Subs not used: Haunstrup, Granger
AFC Wimbledon: McDonell; Pilbeam, Phillips, Sweeney, Harrison; Fitzpatrick, Beere, Gallagher, Jacquart (Ano 71); Kaja, Agyei
Subs not used: Bishop, Wilson, Roles, Frost
Referee: Matt Lee