Town face an FA Cup third round replay after drawing 2-2 against League Two Portsmouth at Portman Road with Ryan Fraser netting a late equaliser. The Scotland U21 international’s freekick somewhat fortunately beat everyone to find the net in the 88th minute, Tommy Oar having put the Blues in front in the 53rd minute prior to Kyle Bennett and Conor Chaplin hitting back on 55 and 86 to briefly give the League Two side the lead.

Boss Mick McCarthy’s side, which he named publicly on Friday, featured seven changes from the team which drew 0-0 at Burnley last week.

Bartosz Bialkowski was in goal with skipper Luke Chambers at right-back, Jonas Knudsen at left-back and debutant Paul Digby and Piotr Malarczyk - making his first home start - at the centre of the defence.

Cole Skuse was partnered by Luke Hyam in the centre of midfield with Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the right and Oar on the left. Up front, Brett Pitman started alongside former Pompey frontman Luke Varney.

Freddie Sears and Ryan Fraser were amongst the subs, but there was no place on the bench for Jonny Parr, whose move back to Norway and top flight side Strømsgodset we understand could be confirmed as early as Monday.

Portsmouth included ex-Blues Gary Roberts, who skippered Pompey on his first return to Portman Road, and keeper Brian Murphy.

On-loan Blues defender Matt Clarke was ineligible against his parent club, while former Town academy and reserves striker Caolan Lavery, who is also on loan at Fratton Park, hasn’t been given permission to play in the FA Cup by Sheffield Wednesday.

Pompey created the game’s first chance in the fourth minute when Marc McNulty cut inside Malarczyk on the left of the area, but Digby slid across to block as the on-loan Sheffield United frontman was looking to pick his spot past the advancing Bialkowski.

The Blues created their first opening four minutes later. Digby won the ball and then Skuse sent Oar away on the left but the Australian’s shot was blocked.

Moments later, former Blues keeper Murphy was off his line quickly to claim ahead of Varney from a Maitland-Niles through ball.

Portsmouth were having the better of a lively opening spell playing some impressive passing football and on 11 Knudsen did well to help the ball behind as Adam McGurk looked to reach a left-wing Roberts cross at the far post.

The League Two side should have gone in front in the 17th minute when Ben Davies cut the ball back from the right to an unmarked McGurk, who blazed over when he should have at least have hit the target.

Portsmouth continued to have the better of the game and on 20 Enda Stevens crossed from the left and Roberts headed wide.

Two minutes later, Pompey surrendered possession cheaply midway inside their own half but Pitman failed to find Varney with a pass on the edge of the box. On 24 Varney hit a low shot from just inside the box but Murphy claimed easily.

Pompey threatened again in the 32nd minute when Adam Barton sent McNulty away behind what was now a reshuffled Town backline - Digby had switched to right-back with Chambers moving inside and Malarczyk to the left central role - on the right of the box but Bialkowski was equal to his shot.

Varney shot weakly to Murphy on 35, but the visitors were still on top and Bialkowski was forced into another save in the 40th minute. The ball fell to Bennett in space on the edge of the box but the Polish keeper got down to his right to save and push away from the danger area.

Pompey squandered another good chance to go in front in the 44th minute when Roberts scuffed well wide from McNulty’s cutback from the right.

Just prior to the half moving into one minute of injury time Skuse was booked for pulling back McNulty.

The whistle was met by muted boos from the home support after a disappointing first half which had been dominated by the League Two side, who but for a couple of poor finishes would have deservedly been in front.

The much-changed Blues line-up looked like a side which hadn’t played together before, while the visitors passed the ball around slickly and dominated possession.

Town only threatened fleetingly on the break, while Pompey created the period’s only serious chances.

Blues boss McCarthy stuck by his XI at the start of the second half with Town looking livelier in the opening minutes, but without creating a chance until the 52nd minute when Pitman looped a speculative effort over from distance.

But two minutes later Town took the lead. Varney escaped down the right and cut the ball back to Pitman, whose shot was blocked by Murphy. The ball fell to Oar, who took a couple of touches before finding the net to claim his first goal in a Town shirt.

However, the advantage was to last only two minutes with a slick Pompey passing move ending in an equaliser. Roberts found McNulty, who turned the ball on to an untracked Bennett on the left of the box and the former Doncaster midfielder passed the ball into the corner of the net.

Fraser replaced Maitland-Niles in the 59th minute then, after Varney had flicked a cross from the left only just wide of his own goal, Tommy Smith replaced Digby, who had been given a tough introduction to life as a Town player.

The visitors had regained their dominance since their goal and on 66 they went close to going in front, Bialkowski making a sharp save from McNulty from close range at his near post.

For the Blues, Fraser, who had made a difference since being introduced, sent over a low cross from the left but too far in front of Varney.

Pompey switched Adam May for Ben Close and Town Freddie Sears for Varney, who had had his usual all-action game, in the 74th minute.

Two minutes after the changes, McNulty cut in and hit a low shot which Bialkowski - still the busier of the two keepers - saved at his near post. On 77, former Blue Roberts was applauded off by the Town support when replaced by Chaplin.

With 11 minutes of scheduled time remaining Fraser cut the ball back from the left after good work from Sears but Hyam was crowded out.

The Blues began to put the visitors under pressure as the final whistle and the prospect of a replay at Fratton Park in 10 days’ time drew closer.

Fraser forced Murphy to push his shot from 10 yards on the left of the box into the side-netting on 84 and from the resultant corner, Malarczyk’s far post header was blocked. Two minutes later, the Scotland U21 international hit another effort from a tight angle that the one-time Town keeper clutched at the second attempt.

But with three minutes remaining, Pompey took the lead. The Blues backline stood off as Chaplin received the ball from Bennett and took it to the edge of the area before hitting a low shot which beat Bialkowski to his left and nestled in the corner of the net.

A deserved Pompey victory and a cup upset looked on the cards but in the 88th minute Fraser sent over a freekick from the left which beat everyone including keeper Murphy, who was under pressure from Chambers, and found the top corner of the net.

As the game moved into five minutes of injury time McNulty broke into the area but his shot was blocked by Smith, then at the other end Barton was booked for a foul on Fraser. The second Blues’ goalscorer shot straight at Murphy from the freekick.

Deep in injury time Murphy saved Sears’s shot from a tight angle on the right but soon afterwards referee David Coote blew his whistle for the final time and the teams will meet at Fratton Park for a replay a week on Tuesday that Town won’t have wanted.

Having gone in front the Blues really ought to have gone on to secure the victory but the visitors, who impressed throughout, hit back immediately and had they gone on to win the game having taken the lead few would have argued with the result.

Town’s equaliser had more than a touch of good fortune about it, although Fraser and Sears had made a significant difference having come off the bench.

But prior to their involvement it had been a very lacklustre display from the Blues’ fringe players and manager McCarthy is likely to have been disappointed with the overall performance. Nevertheless, the Blues join Pompey in the hat for Monday’s fourth round draw, which takes place from 7pm live on BBC1's The One Show.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Malarczyk, Digby (Smith 63), Knudsen, Skuse, Hyam, Maitland-Niles (Fraser 59), Oar, Varney (Sears 74), Pitman. Unused: Gerken, Smith, Bru, Tabb, Kenlock.

Portsmouth: Murphy, Davies, Barton, Webster, Stevens, Hollands (Haunstrup 81), Close (May 74), Roberts (c) (Chaplin 77), McNulty, Bennett, McGurk. Unused: Bass, Boco, Tollitt, Evans. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire). Att: 17,020 (Portsmouth: 2,494).

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 17:20 - Jan 9 Lucky to get away with a replay in all honesty. They didn't look like a div 2 side
6

TimmyH added 17:21 - Jan 9 Well that was somehwhat embarrassing - a flukey freekick saving us from an early exit against a league 2 team that had more possession more shots on target and off target. We really haven't covered ourselves in glory in cup competitions (other than the league cup semi-final) for years now and have to consider if the management do take these cup competitons seriously (we all know the answer to that). Feel sorry for Portsmouth tonight they should have been through to the next round. Doesn't the management know winning breeds confidence so why not play our performing players from the start? - waiting now for the obvious replies of the league being our bread and butter!

32

Elizabeth added 17:23 - Jan 9 Replay then ...fancy us to do the biz away !
-10

sproughtonblue added 17:25 - Jan 9 Really sorry to all the "in Mick we trust" brigade and all the badge kissers but that was absolutly disgusting. To give away approx 70/30 possession to a League Two team whilst at home is.......................sorry lost for words. Paying money extra over on top of my season ticket and i can't help but feel cheated. Rant over and time to go sit in a dark room by myself.

42

Currie10 added 17:29 - Jan 9 Yeah go sit in that dark room bore off I'll be a " Mick we trust " brigade.
-33

Lathers added 17:32 - Jan 9 And we don't need to bring in better quality fringe players Mick!!!! A needless replay and once again MM has got us another cup replay by picking a team which couldn't do the job. Preston 2 years ago and now Pompey. Just shows how shallow our squad is.
18

jas0999 added 17:34 - Jan 9 Congratulations to Pompey, I thought they were the better side, particularly in the first half and certainly deserved a replay, arguably more. The problem is despite our larger squad, we still, as proven today, lack quality. There can be no excuse however, as in reality today's team was strong and made up of a number of regular starters or those who featured heavily last season. Yet we were at times outplayed. At home. To a league two side. Not acceptable. Whilst our competitors continue to sign quality, we are again relying on cheap options. A chap from Barnsley who can't get in the Barnsley side. On loan. I've said it before, but at home only one of Skuse, Dpuglas or Hyam should start. Two of then starting is too negative and lacks creativity and goals. I still think we need to invest in that creative goal scoring option. But Evans won't spend. Up front, I'm delighted Varney has recovered from injury, but he isn't going to fire us to promotion. In the end, tellingly, it took our two creative, quality options to bail us out, Fraser and Sears. This should tell us that we need to invest in further quality to push on. Bitterly disappointing result and performance.

47

blueboy1981 added 17:37 - Jan 9 ....... extremely lucky to get the replay - excuses by the number please from the normal responders - for yet another inept home performance. Fortress Portman Road - a distant memory.
26

sproughtonblue added 17:38 - Jan 9 well put jas0999!
12

OldClactonBlue added 17:43 - Jan 9 How can anyone be happy to be outplayed by a League Two team. All the excuses in the world will not hide the fact that the philosophy is wrong and the quality lacking!
28

blueboy1981 added 17:46 - Jan 9 ..... jas0999 - agree with your post, but are you sure it's Evans who 'won't spend' ? - or is it the Manager trying to be to stubborn, and clever to actually ask ? Someone, somewhere, is responsible - either for telling porkies, or otherwise.
15

warkthelint added 17:48 - Jan 9 We got what we deserved.Shambolic and ill-disciplined performance and set up by a manager who simply lacks the bottle to win cup matches and then has the temerity to tell all the world and his wife that his team is a no nonsense one ? McCarthy is kidding the Portman Road public by pretending that his teams are sufficiently equipped but history hows that his teams are thrown together with no real intention to win .... he has become a laughing stock in the football world.We were outclassed, outgunned and outfought by a lower league team and we resorted to McCarthy style tactics i.e hoofing and keeping the ball in the air, players playing out of position and a hastily put together side who showed total confusion whilst being attacked. I for one am fed up that when we have to play cup matches,MM shortchanges the club. He simply lacks the bottle with his negative, one trick football. Maybe he should reimburse the paying public if he can't be bothered to win these games......today we simply woeful..

19

irishtim added 17:48 - Jan 9 To the constant moaners and great managers. What is the solution? We are top 6. With no budget. We play a game that has us where we are. Who do you bring in? No budget. Simple. We are where we are and must hope Mick will get us up. He will and the club will be stronger for it. It takes time to build and improve. We are doing that.
-13

itsonlyme added 17:50 - Jan 9 Congratulations to mick McCarthy - another cock up on team selection on tactics and on performance! Time to f@&? Off!
11

jas0999 added 17:52 - Jan 9 Blue boy - yes I am. I suspect there is a small aspect of Mick as well, but if you read between the MM quotes recently he states he can't improve on his current squad with frees and loans. I agree with him. He doesn't state he couldn't improve the squad with quality additions which would cost money. There have been a couple of quotes from Mick along those lines recently. Plus Milne backtracking on earlier statements that money from Mings would be reinvested in the playing squad. I'm convinced ME has little intention of spending and even Ian Holloway stated that he didn't think the owners heart is in it recently! Time will of course tell. You may be correct. It could be all Mick. I'm not convinced!

12

prebbs007 added 17:53 - Jan 9 Totally outplayed by league 2 side and exactly the result we didn't want. Good job our squad is so strong though Mick !!! NOT !!! Get some quality in during January Marcus or we will fall away !!! Ready for your down mark essex57 !!
23

runaround added 17:54 - Jan 9 Typical ITFC cup performance & result. The club just doesn't take the competition seriously & every time it shows on the pitch. It was obvious that Malarczyk & Digby then Pitman & Varney had not played together before & it showed many times today. As has become the norm in last few seasons our second string didn't play great so we end up bringing on the players we're trying to rest to try and salvage the game. May as well have started with them! I can understand the logic in not wanting to risk injury to our best players but it never seems to work when we rest players & it was clear today why we haven't won an FA cup match in 6 years! Pompey were by far the best side & had they one we couldn't have had any complaints. They dominated possession and played by far the best football. Bart & Hyam were for me the 2 players to come out of the game with the most credit for us. 2 massive home league games to come now. Here's hoping our first choice XI are fit & ready to do the business in those matches. Play like today & we will lose them both!

17

sproughtonblue added 17:54 - Jan 9 irishtim i,ll have what ever you are drinking. Cheers!
-1

TimmyH added 17:56 - Jan 9 @blueboy - what I have wondered as well, the relationship I reckon between the two is too cosy, Mick doesn't spend a lot but gets us either in the play-offs or close which is fine in Evan's eyes (both party's happy). What is obvious though is our strenght in depth is no where near good enough to see us out of this division - just watch Boro, Hull, Derby, Burnley, Brighton etc. in the coming weeks fork out on quality or quality loans while we remain stagnent.

11

TractorCam added 17:56 - Jan 9 What even was the point of scoring that late equaliser, now all we have to do is play another game which we won't even turn up for as a youth team will go there.
3

Elizabeth added 17:58 - Jan 9 Moaners Utd are out in force .. This is what happens in the FA Cup !! Last nights game ....Need I say more ! 💤💤💤
-22

tractorblue added 18:01 - Jan 9 It seems to me its a catch 22 situation,i see clearly why MM played a second string side as its a huge game on Tuesday against an in form Leeds,but it is also a fact that winning brings confidence,so he was on a no win situation,but for me it sticks out like a sore thumb that our fringe players are not good enough,the arguement back at that is i suppose they dont get enough game time,it is alarming how we were outplayed though,but again i suppose we are still in the Cup and we will probably go win at Fratton Park,big game Tuesday and it has to be in Mick we trust.

1

sidtheswan added 18:02 - Jan 9 Well done MM ! Once again our defensive frailties at right back were shown up this time by a second division team . Will MM ever admit he is wrong or continue to do his ostrich impression and swear that black is white Chambets is a right back and gherkin is better than Bart ! The annoying thing is that Pompey thoroughly deserved the draw. Final moan why give Pompey a whole stand and then only sell them 1/3 of the tickets . Makes no sense . If we are serious about promotion need to splash the cash and strengthen the team !

5

blues1 added 18:04 - Jan 9 I agree to an extent with most of what has been said so far. However the game today was actually typical of a match between higher/lower opposition. We allowed them to have the ball whereas they closed us down. Yes, they played some good football due to us allowing them to have too much space, thus relying on catching them on the break. Which is, if any of you hadnt noticed, how mm sets us up to play pretty much every game. The biggest problem with that today was that he picked a front line with not enough pace and no height neither, which meant we didn't keep the ball up front well enough. Not the front players fault as the service to them wasn't good enough, which highlights the fact you can't play hyam and skuse together(yet again). Also the decision to play 2 inexperienced(at this level) centre backs was proven to be flawed. Should have been one or the other alongside smith. I've said in the past that having 2left footed players in the middle of defence is unbalanced, the same was true today with 2right footed players in there until smith came on. IMO today's failure to win the game was down to poor team selection and tactics by mm. And it doesn't matter what players we were to sign, with MMS style of play the performances will not improve. We may well win games, but the football will not be pretty.

7

bohslegend added 18:09 - Jan 9 Hilarious how the usual doomsday merchants come out in force like this. I swear you lot must meet up on match days (you know, the total opposite to a fan club - more an anti-fan club). You seem to hate any of us having anything resembling a positive attitude towards the team. If MM had played last weeks team the whole lot of you would have moaned your ar$es off about MM not giving certain players a chance. That is 100% sure. Now that he has played a fringe team you lot slate home for that too and say we should have played his "usual favourites" as you all so like to put it. As Sproughtonblue put it well: go sit in a dark room until the gloom lifts.

-15

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls