This game had everything bar a happy ending for Saints fans.

Saints supporters left St Mary's disapointed, but they knew their side had put up a brave display and that the score flattered the visitors, that being the case they could have asked littlemore from their team.

Saints went at Pompey from the very start and could of and should of gone into the break in the lead, but a string of good chances just wouldnt go in, although it was goalless at half time you knew that it wouldnt be in the second half and you also knew that with a completely different back four from the one that had played at Exeter in the league seven days early that the longer the game went on, the more Pompey had a chance of scoring due to pace.

The first goal went to Pompey and was against the run of play, although worringly you just sensed that Saints defence had run itself into the ground as it gave the Pompey attack too much room, however Saints dragged themself back in the game with a great Lambert header and you hoped that this might keep the adrenalin flowing in our tiring limbs.

But this feeling of hope lasted only five minutes as Pompey started to do just what the home crowd had feared and that was running at the back four, but even when conceding this second goal Saints didnt give in and with 10 minutes remaining the stadium erupted as Lee Barnard poked home, however he was offside and you just felt that was perhaps the chance gone, in the remaining time there was only one thing Saints could do and that was attack, however that was just what Pompey wanted and they broke twice to make sure their would be no late rally for Saints who at 4-1 down had to shut up shop to ensure it wouldnt be a complete rout.

The crowd had seen a cracking cup tie though, perhaps the best game of football seen between the sides in many a year, there are usually results in the games between the sides, indeed there has only been one draw since the two sides drew early in Saints promotion season of 65/66, that at the Dell in 87/88, thats 16 games with a win to one side or the other except for one, that shows the passion in the game, however very rarely do we see a game like this when both sides go hell for leather and either could have won.

Saints fans should forget the score, their team did them proud and showed that they have the heart to keep this club going in the right direction, no blame can be levelled at the defence who gave 100%  and were beaten by their own tiring legs, however it would have been interesting to see what the score would have been if Saints could have put out their first choice back four.

Photo: Action Images

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