Portsmouth manager Alan Ball gambled on attack as the best form of defence in
the closing stages of a poor game at Reading and his gamble paid off.
With seven minutes to go, when many managers would have settled for a
goal-less draw, Ball took off midfielder Alan McLoughlin and replaced him with
Swedish international striker Mathias Svensson, switching from a 4-4-2 formation
to a 4-3-3 line-up.
The fiery Swede instantly got into the action in a tussle with Reading's Phil
Parkinson from which Portsmouth won a free kick.
Martin Allen shot towards goal, but his kick struck Steve Claridge and fell to
the feet of Adrian Whitbread.
The Portsmouth defender instantly struck a low shot into the corner of the net
for his first-ever goal for the club to send their fans behind the goal into
frenzies of excitement.
It may have been a freak goal, but earned Portsmouth only their second away
win of the season.
Defeat was rough on Reading who had been on top for most of the game, but
ended up losing their fourth successive match.
The first-half was dominated by Reading with Davies, Primus and Morley all
going close, whilst Portsmouth hardly troubled Reading keeper Nicky Hammond.
The second-half started in the same fashion with Ray Houghton setting Williams
clear on a run which ended with a weak shot into the keeper's arms.
Williams was then put clear again by Bowen, but drove his shot over the bar.
Slowly, Portsmouth managed to claw their way back into the game.
Steve Claridge, on-loan from Birmingham, ended a run with a shot which went
just wide and then Andy Thomson's header was headed on, just wide of the post,
by John Aloisi.
As Portsmouth showed increasing signs of looking for victory, Reading new-boy
Andy Legg had to clear a goal-bound effort from under the bar.
Then came Ball's gamble and three points which failed to take Pompey off the
bottom because of Manchester City's victory at Swindon.
Teams
Reading: Hammond, Booty, Legg, Davies, Primus, Parkinson, Bowen,
Houghton, Morley, Asaba, Williams (Lovell 77).
Subs Not Used: McPherson, Hodges.
Booked: Legg, Morley.
Portsmouth: Flahavan, Pethick, Robinson,
McLoughlin (Svensson 73), Whitbread, Awford, Vlachos, Claridge,
Aloisi, Igoe (Thomson 60), Carter (Allen 60).
Booked: Pethick.
Goals: Whitbread 83.
Att: 9,928
Ref: A G Wiley (Burntwood).
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