Source: Telegraph
Stoke and Portsmouth battle to a draw
The result was predictable enough, but no one can have anticipated the goal rush and drama that unfolded in the final stages of this unfathomable encounter. [LNB]Portsmouth went ahead 15 minutes from the end with a goal converted by Niko Kranjcar that was out of context with the shabby endeavours that had preceded it. [LNB]Stoke responded and two goals by James Beattie tilted the balance of the contest until Hermann Hreidarsson's deflected effort in stoppage time ensured parity. [LNB]Considering these two imperilled clubs had beaten only Manchester City in living memory, stalemate was always the most likely outcome. [LNB]Yet even by their miserable standards of this season, the football, imagination and application offered here was largely unforgivable and eminently forgettable. [LNB]Stoke, deprived of Rory Delap's projectiles through suspension, toiled aimlessly for a Plan B. Liam Lawrence was the one source of inspirational ambition, although his frustration eventually dragged him into a mind-blowingly stupid spat with Hreidarsson that cost both players bookings. [LNB]Portsmouth are blessed with slightly more gifted players, but confidence has taken a battering this term and caretaker manager Paul Hart will need all his respiratory powers to pull them through. [LNB]Hart and his charges were agreed that the penalty decision given against Glen Johnson that led to beat his equaliser and was still seemingly disorientated when the striker plundered a second. [LNB]Fortune ultimately proved even-handed, Ryan Shawcross diverting the ball past his own goalkeeper and giving Hart a fourth point from two matches in charge. [LNB]Whether he will be entrusted with the job full-time will depend on results in the coming weeks. Hart would say only: "I'm contracted to the club and this is my role at the moment, preparing game for game and that's as far as it goes." [LNB]Hart maintained: "It wasn't a handball by Glen, we've seen the replay and it was his shoulder. We were still reeling from that decision when they scored their second goal. [LNB]"We set out our stall to defend to weather the storm. We were unfortunate not to win but showed tremendous resilience." [LNB]His opposite number, Tony Pulis, acknowledged his team were lucky to be awarded the penalty but reasoned: "It's time we had a bit of luck. It's going to be nail biting until the end of the season. We've got 12 games and we've just got to make sure we get enough points." [LNB]Pompey's opener, created by David Nugent, seemed almost too good to be true. Stoke probably thought as much when they were awarded their penalty and Beattie thrashed the ball into the roof of the net. Beattie's second had been coveting all three points but justice, however rough, was done when Hreidarsson and Shawcross combined in the crucial last act. [LNB]
