Croatian star Robert Prosinecki scored a stunning hat-trick but Portsmouth
still had to settle for a draw as they threw away a two-goal advantage in the
closing stages.
Graham Rix's side were cruising to victory with seven minutes remaining after
two pieces of magic from Prosinecki appeared to have given them an unassailable
4-2 lead.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder beat three defenders on the
hour, and even had time to pick himself up off the floor, before drilling a low
shot inside the right-hand post from the edge of the area.
And Prosinecki gave Portsmouth a two-goal lead eight minutes later with a
stunning free-kick from the edge of the area.
The 32-year-old was fouled by Steve Chettle and responded by curling home an
unstoppable shot inside the left-hand upright.
But Pompey defender Linvoy Primus was sent off with eight minutes remaining
for violent conduct and Barnsley midfielder Chris Lumsdon reduced the advantage
from the resulting penalty.
Goalkeeper Dave Beasant did brilliantly to deny Barnsley substitute Tony
Bedeau in injury time but had no chance with Mike Sheron's header just seconds
later as the visitors pulled off an unlikely draw to extend their unbeaten run
to 11 matches.
Lumsdon's cross from the right was headed back by Darren Barnard for Sheron to
flick home a glancing header for his 11th goal of the season.
Prosinecki had opened the scoring in the third minute from the penalty spot
after winger Courtney Pitt had been clumsily brought down in the area by
right-back Dave Mulligan.
Lumsdon levelled the scores in the 16th minute with a fine individual goal as
he pulled the ball back on his left foot before curling a shot inside the
left-hand post, giving Beasant no chance.
Portsmouth were back in front four minutes before the interval when Primus
headed home Pitt's pinpoint cross at the near post before Chris Barker levelled
the scores for the second time two minutes after the restart after exchanging
passes with Sheron.
Teams:
Portsmouth: Beasant, Zamperini, Primus, Buxton, Crowe,
Pitt (Hiley 85), Derry, O'Neil, Harper, Prosinecki, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Tardif, Curtis, Mladen Rudonja, Lovell.
Sent Off: Primus (84).
Booked: Crowe.
Goals: Prosinecki 5 pen, Primus 41, Prosinecki 61, 69.
Barnsley: Miller, Mulligan, Barker, Chettle, Morgan,
Donovan (Bertos 72), Gary Jones, Lumsdon, Barnard,
Dyer (Bedeau 72), Sheron.
Subs Not Used: Marriott, Neil, Ward.
Booked: Lumsdon.
Goals: Lumsdon 16, Barker 48, Lumsdon 84 pen, Sheron 90.
Att: 12,756
Ref: P Prosser (Innsworth).
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