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

GiveusaWave added 22:52 - Jan 9 Either that or we will see more of Coke
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sproughtonblue added 23:06 - Jan 9 Sitting here having just watched Titanic with the missus and I swear I saw BOHSLEGEND on the bow shouting "Don't panic,we ain't going to sink” But I may be wrong.
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:09 - Jan 9 My first home game of the season and I can't see myself going again,as i'l stick to watching isthmian Premier League etc. Slick passing, good pace, beat players with ease....oh that's Portsmouth. This was Hoofball at its worst as Varney and Pittman couldn't win any headers. Back 4 were pitiful and the new signing looks like a player who can't make it into the Barnsley squad. Don't know why we didn't just throw in the towel from the start by playing Giles Coke. This made me realize why I don't bother paying to go to Portman Road anymore.

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blue24 added 23:13 - Jan 9 I had to stop reading to comments after page 1 (I have better things to do with my Saturday night than read morons moan) to many of you live in dream world "Evans won't spend" "we need to buy quality" why should he?? He doesn't have to, he spent millions in the past with no return why would he throw more money after bad, would you? As for the constant slagging off of MM. it just baffles me. He has no real budget but he gets players that do a job and give 100% not always pretty but he has us 6th (probably punching above our weight) To many of you for some unknown reason think we have a right to get promoted, if we're in there challenging enjoy it there's 18 clubs (in the championship) below us who's fans have it worse and I bet there fans (?) aren't winging like a bunch of spoilt kids

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:16 - Jan 9 So much talk about our own endeavors, but little in the way of plaudits or acknowledgement for today's opposition. Like it, don't like it, Portsmouth did well today, outplayed the home team for long periods and would have deserved their victory if not for the late equalizer. Got an unwanted replay coming up and an awkward game with it, but at least we're still involved. Ok the team selection was maybe acceptable or seemed sufficient when first revealed, but even now, we struggled to make an impact and got away with something we didn't fully deserve by end of game. Can only hope today's shortcomings don't intrude on the Leeds game next up. And Yes - McCarthy once again didn't show a Cup game with enough respect and determination, but is that really much of a surprise ? May be some level of league savior in some people's eyes, but there's definite room for improvement out there.

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TimmyH added 23:20 - Jan 9 @PJewellisaGpd - surprised you chose this home game to go to, we've been dire against lower league teams in the cup competitions for yonks. I think if we'd lost today we could have been 1st on MOTD highlights.
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BlueMachines added 23:44 - Jan 9 Skuse MOM Bluelady? Really!? He hasn't the ability to play through balls. Sorry I couldn't agree less with you on that matter!
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Stato added 00:11 - Jan 10 Oar got the sponsors MoM and many of us would agree as only really Bart stood out otherwise. Why has Oar spent so long on the bench and been given so little game time. Why has Parr been given so little game time. Why has Bart been given so little game time. Will Digby play for us again this season. Will our record signing left back ever be dropped. Will Sears ever be given a more central role. We line up the same way every week unless there are injuries. There has been a lack of rotation hence so many of the reserves looking out of touch. Can't see there being bumper crowds for the next 2 home games and I only hope that we restore some pride when we travel down to Fratton Park.

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blueboy1981 added 00:29 - Jan 10 After all - Portsmouth are only 46 places below us ... !!! - but yet again we meet a side who try to play Football the proper way. And shame us - in so doing.
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not_a_witty_name added 03:34 - Jan 10 Well I enjoyed the last 10 minutes at Library Portman Road. I don't know where Niles was today.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 06:16 - Jan 10 Good God this site has some whingers. If MM had started the first team and a key player had got crocked you lot would be on here shouting. Big spending Middlesbrough made wholesale changes and lost at home, Brentford and Preston went out to lower opposition, Bolton nearly did, Liverpool and West Bromwich scraped replays. It's what happens for Christ sakes. And as for splashing loads of cash, yeah let's do that! We can then end up like Portsmouth, broke and in league two! . Some of you need to get off Fifa on the PlayStation and join the real world.

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Penguinblue added 07:06 - Jan 10 MM please go. Bring football back to East Anglia
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boncho added 08:20 - Jan 10 i honestly can not believe some of the town fans. ok we played poorly, to be fair have done a lot this season, but come on guys give the boys a break. we are in the top 6, on a good run with two winnable games to come. i admitt the tactics and style of play are not exciting to watch, but why don't we try and get behind the team,anyone would think we are struggling for relegation. personally as long as the players are giving 100 % then you will never hear me moan, that doesnt mean im totally happy, but how can you ask for any more than that. COYB!!!!

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battyblue added 08:28 - Jan 10 Hi agree with all this football hang on we can't call it football it's just mcarthy sh🙈ball but every time I mark a comment with an up arrow it is marking the poster down ...so not doing anymore perhaps Mick been interfering with this as well.
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Keaneish added 08:35 - Jan 10 For every single one of you who moans at the 'moaners' (the irony!), you all miss and trip over the same point. It's irrelevant what position we are in the league or how much money we have spent or what investment is imminent or not because the football irrespective of all this is absolutely atrocious. Win or lose. Top 6 or bottom 6. Money or no money. It's terrible. Whether you have money or not doesn't change the fact that MM would play this way with these tactics and selections regardless. Portsmouth have no money, no big name signings and a relatively young inexperienced manager and they passed us off the park. Explain that. All managers, pundits and pros don't say it but it's what they don't say that's deafening. We play terrible football and crowds are dwindling for a top 6 side.

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BlueMachines added 08:39 - Jan 10 For me it's not about the team the starting 11 or disrespecting the cup, it's about a dire performance. 11 professional players, completely unable to strong a pass together. It's not about the money we don't have to spend, or the number of changes the team made, it's the way they are, and I use the term loosely, Coached.
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Dissboyitfc added 08:45 - Jan 10 Boncho, how can we ask for more? simple a manager who wants to win every game. When things deserve credit the majority on here will give it, but that also entitles me and others to say when we are not happy, its what the forum is for, no point in having any forums otherwise.Would be a boring if we all agreed. Yesterday was rubbish, we were outplayed on our own patch by a team we should of dispatched, before you all say thats cup football, remember we were at home not away at a non-league club playing on a quagmire, we were outplayed, not happy and i will continue along with the many others on here to vent my views!

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Dissboyitfc added 08:46 - Jan 10 Keanish.. top post!
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carsey added 09:13 - Jan 10 Awful football from players coached by a dinosaur. Out played by a team from 2 divisions below with no big name players coached by a manager who is the sort we should be looking to employ.
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ChestnutSe added 09:21 - Jan 10 What would we rather have, 6 points from the next 2 games or a win yesterday? I know what MM and the Portsmouth manager would prefer. TV money has reduced the FA cup to a second rate competition.
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bluelady added 09:23 - Jan 10 Blue machine we all have the right to an opinion, I saw some very clever passes by Skuse today timed to perfection, not enough but that's down to the style of football we play not a lack of ability on his part.... I also think without Him today we would have been dare I say it even worse!!! He isn't a Fraser type player so people often miss what a good player and key part of the team he is, it's isn't always about flare and speed although I do wish along side him he had a flare player that would be a great central midfield. Douglas has worked better with him on the occasions he has played q more attacking role. Hyam is a tidy player but seems stuck with sideward and backward balls

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Stato added 10:03 - Jan 10 If Man Utd are allowed 'moaners' then so are we. Somebody needs point out the emperor has no clothes. The happy clappy brigade are cheering everything Mick does and everything ME does and it needs those of us who see through it to point out it isn't good enough for this great club of ours to be dishing up that dross at Portman Road. More smoke and mirrors about how many sides struggled in their FA CUP ties but what excuses will there be after the next 2 home games ? Go on the sites of any other sides held at home by lower league opposition and see if their fans are happy ? I want to see a young manager who will put smiles back on the faces and bums on seats at Portman Road or the next generation of town fans will be travelling past PR on their way to West Ham and other premiership clubs in London.

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Langdon_Blue added 10:20 - Jan 10 Sad but true, the FA Cup is not viewed as an important enough competition anymore. The BBC reported that of the 13 Premier League clubs kicking off at 3pm yesterday, 77 changes had been made. We ourselves made 7 changes and as a direct result of those changes joined the list of the 'bigger clubs' struggling to dispose of lower opposition. I fully expect 'stubborn Mick' to be back picking his favourites for the next game, which will hopefully result in our continued excellent league form. R.I.P FA Cup.

2

Cloddyseedbed added 10:29 - Jan 10 Still haven't read all the posts. I needed to calm down before I put my thoughts down. How a manager of anything expects to change the workforce so brutally and expect them to be efficient when they start work is beyond me. Several points were cleared up in my mind though. Our defence is not good. Chambers is not a fullback (we all know) and when Smith is not covering him he is even worse. Malarczyk is not a good enough standard but typical MM defender. Didgby, why the hell play a player so short of match practice is beyond me, not fair on the lad. He did not do himself justice either. Typical MM defender though. Knudson, still not a clue on positioning and urgency in defence. Not good enough. If Smith or Berra are injured, be worried, very worried. If chambers or Knudsen can't play we have no cover at all even for 2 poor fullbacks. midfield, shambles! Maitland -Niles, end his loan and send him back, however he is not playing as a winger (his position) he's made to protect midfield and defence, not in his game, it's not what we signed him for, he's out of position. Like so many others!! We have good attacking options but not with the long ball game, how the hell can you create chances playing like that? Whenever on the very rare occasion we did get it down and play especially with the inclusion of Fraser we looked good. Hate this football, hate the team selection, hate the way the FA cup is approached by the club. What a way to spend a Saturday afternoon, watching your team outplayed by a team from 2 league's below playing you off the pitch. Well done Portsmouth players management and supporters you are a credit to yourselves and football in general. ITFC hang your head in shame for putting out a team and a performance like that for your fans. Without us you wouldn't have a football club, don't treat us like we don't matter anymore. My season ticket will not be renewed next year unless the football changes, I don't care what league I support, the excuse of keeping in this league playing sh*t football has worn thin with me. If Portsmouth can play football with no money why the hell can't we? No way am I signing up to cup games next year with my club unless something changes. Everybody I spoke to after the game including many 1st time visitors shared my views. We may have a big squad but only a handful can play FOOTBALL and are good enough with our systemof HOOFBALL!

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warktheline added 10:40 - Jan 10 @blue24, Why should Evans spend money? You answered that yourself, because regardless of how the team achieved it on the pitch, McCarthy made top 6 last season with a two Bob team! Wouldn't you agree some investment could of strengthened our chances this season? McCarthy promised entertaining football would follow stabilisation, the jury is well and truly out! One thing is certain, his brand of football has divided Town fans, and picking a weakened team in the FA Cup hasn't enhanced his reputation with many!

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