Oxford winger Joey Beauchamp was sent off late in the second half for a
two-footed tackle on Portsmouth captain Russell Perrett, but relegation rivals
Pompey failed to take advantage of the extra man despite some furious late
pressure.
Oxford scored the only goal of a tepid first half in which both sides showed
why they are at the wrong end of the First Division table.
Nicky Banger saw his first shot blocked by Portsmouth goalkeeper Andy
Petterson but his second effort from the by-line was helped over his own line by
the retreating keeper.
Portsmouth manager Alan Ball, who described his team's performance in defeat
at Ipswich as "gutless" could not have been happy with the first half display
this time.
At the resumption Ball sent on new Swedish new Sven Andreasson in a bid to
bring some life to the Portsmouth attack.
Ball's move paid off two minutes into the second half when Sammy Igoe got away
on the right to set up an easy headed chance for Steve Claridge.
Petterson, partially at fault for the first goal, made up for it with a
stunning save from Banger and then got down at full stretch to turn away a low
shot from the edge of the area by substitute David Smith.
But it was Portsmouth who went ahead in the 68th minute in controversial
circumstances.
Andreasson and Oxford skipper Les Robinson competed for a centre by Jeff Peron
and referee Eddie Lomas pointed to the spot.
Angry Robinson was booked for protesting and Claridge increased Oxford's
problems by sending on-loan goalkeeper Paul Gerrard the wrong way with his
spotkick.
But Portsmouth's celebrations did not last long and Oxford equalised three
minutes later.
Petterson made a superb save again from Banger but Portsmouth failed to clear
the rebound, Banger regained possession and this time beat the goalkeeper with a
low left foot shot from 15 yards.
Oxford boss Malcolm Shotton sent on all his substitutes - Smith, Brian
Wilsterman and Andy Thomson in a bid to hold on to a point and to make up for
the dismissal of Beauchamp.
Teams:
Portsmouth: Petterson, Thogersen (Andreasson 45), Robinson,
Simpson, Hillier (Pethick 82), Perrett, Thomson, Peron, Vlachos,
Claridge, Igoe.
Subs Not Used: Nightingale.
Booked: Peron.
Goals: Claridge 47, 68 pen.
Oxford Utd: Gerrard, Robinson, Powell, Wright (Smith 58), Watson,
Warren, Remy (Wilsterman 74), Murphy, Banger (Thomson 78),
Windass, Beauchamp.
Sent Off: Beauchamp (75).
Booked: Warren, Banger, Robinson.
Goals: Banger 44, 71.
Att: 12,604
Ref: E Lomas (Manchester).
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