Source: Team_Talk
Strachan floored by late collapse
Gordon Strachan admitted it felt like a defeat after Middlesbrough let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Portsmouth at the Riverside.[LNB] Boro were two up at the break through a Matthew Bates strike and a Barry Robson penalty but Pompey - who had not taken a point away from home this term before kick-off - pulled one back through a David Nugent header then levelled with a controversial late Liam Lawrence penalty.[LNB]The spot-kick came as Boro cleared after a corner and Aaron Mokoena was left on the ground.[LNB]After consulting with an assistant, referee Rob Shoebridge dismissed Robson but Strachan insists that the video evidence proved inconclusive.[LNB]Strachan said: "I didn't see it. I don't think anyone saw it.[LNB]"I've seen the incident again on a grainy film from behind the goal but it was inconclusive.[LNB]"But the referee or the linesman saw it and so they gave it and I am not going to complain about it.[LNB]"I was very disappointed and it feels like a defeat because we were two goals up and in control. When you give someone a goal and get someone sent off like that, then yes it is disappointing. It feels like a defeat."[LNB]Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill claimed he had not seen the penalty incident either.[LNB]"I was about 50 yards away and there was a lot of bodies in the way," he said.[LNB]"But if we got lucky with the penalty then good because we haven't had too much of that of late at this club.[LNB]"It would have been a travesty if we had come away from that game with nothing. We played well, we worked hard, we created chances and 100% we deserved it.[LNB]"We don't look like a side that are in the bottom three and to be fair we have improved a lot lately, especially since the last international break. We have put the players through a mini-pre-season and brought a few good players in and we look fitter, better and sharper.[LNB]"They are a top bunch of lads here and have been through a lot. We deserve a break."
