Cook reflects on Stevenage defeat
A 3-0 defeat, a red card and a missed penalty.
It was certainly an afternoon to forget for Pompey at Broadhall Way as they faced fellow promotion contenders Stevenage.
Goals from Jack King and Matt Godden ensured the visitors trailed at the break, despite twice hitting the woodwork.
It got worse just 41 seconds into the second half when Jobi Mcnuff added a third for an impressive Boro side.
Christian Burgess was then sent off for a second bookable offence before substitute Conor Chaplin hit a tame penalty straight into the arms of keeper Chris Day.
And Paul Cook felt that his Pompey troops were simply undone by a superior side on the day.
The Blues boss said: “We were beaten by the better team and it was a very fair result. I’ve got no arguments.
“You could write a book on our disappointments, but Stevenage were excellent and there can be no excuses from us.
“It wasn’t a good day for us and we just have to lick our wounds and prepare to face Newport next week.
“It was like a cup final for Stevenage’s players and they performed like it was, while it was painful for us.
“But we’ve been brilliant in the past few games, so now we have to bounce back like we have done in the past.
“And if someone offers third place at this stage of the season with your destiny your own hands, you’d bite their hand off.”
If the 1,390 travelling fans were feeling frustrated they certainly did not let it show and continued singing long after the final whistle.
Cook said: “Now we can look forward to another game at Fratton Park, where we’ll be backed again by these amazing supporters.”