Boss reflects on Stevenage stalemate
Pompey were about to head to the top of the League Two table.
With Plymouth losing at Oxford, a 1-0 victory at Fratton Park would have seen them overhaul the Pilgrims on goals scored.
That is the way it looked to be heading as Conor Chaplin came off the bench to strike what appeared to be the winner against Stevenage.
But the visitors had a super-sub of their own, with Brett Williams grabbing a stoppage-time leveller to deflate the buoyant crowd.
And although Paul Cook was happy with his side’s application, he felt they were missing a touch of class.
The Blues boss said: “That’s football and you just have to get on with it. We’ve played 14 games and lost one, so we’ll just keep going.
“It’s a long season and there will always be inconsistent results around you, but you’re only ever interested in your own one.
“Unfortunately we were unable to hold our lead on this occasion and that’s the disappointing thing.
“We’re huffing and puffing, but don’t quite look like we’re going to get on top of someone. It’s more about effort than quality.
“It would be remiss of me say that we were great and were robbed, but I thought we’d see the game out.
“Stevenage caused us a few problems in the early stages of both halves, but then got deeper and deeper.
“There’s no magic formula – we’re a few seconds away from being top of the league and everyone one going home cock-a-hoop.
“That goal took the life out of everyone and it’s my job to get it back into me as soon as possible.
“The players are only human, so we’ll take any criticism on the chin and look forward to the weekend.
“We’ll go back to the training ground, look at the DVDs and then prepare for Saturday’s game against Mansfield.”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for extended interviews with the manager and Chaplin.