Officials bear brunt of Cambridge and Portsmouth managers' frustration

Portsmouth benefited from Mark Roberts' dismissal at half-time to recover to win 3-1, Leon Legge's own goal and Matt Tubbs' brace coming after Robbie Simpson gave Cambridge a half-time lead despite being flagged offside by an assistant referee.

The game ended 10 against 10 as Gareth Evans was sent off late on for a poor challenge on Elliot Omozusi.

Reflecting on the game, Pompey boss Paul Cook commented: "It was a good test for us at half-time because a patient passing game, which you can sometimes be criticised for, certainly worked well today.

"Our ball retention in the second half moved them about really well, they got deeper and deeper and then they got tired. We were able to score goals by putting quality in the box, something that we haven't done so well as of late. It's a great learning curve for us as a team."

Speaking about Simpson's goal, Cook explained the referee's decision to award the goal.

"It was offside," he said. "The linesman flagged for offside, then we get told that the referee said it came off us.

"We've watched it again, (Luke) Berry passes forward for his player but the referees make these decisions.

"We'll always believe that over a period of time it levels out. It went against us first half but fortunately second half I thought we controlled the game really well. I thought we were excellent.

Cambridge boss Richard Money was scathing about Portsmouth's role in Roberts' red card and bemoaned the third red card his side have received in the opening months of the season.

"They say things come in threes and that's the third horrendous decision that we've been given in 12 games," he said.

"I've watched the incident and Roberts' guilt is that he's got involved in something, why on earth he wants to be there the good Lord only knows.

"He's been grabbed around the throat by the assistant manager, who he gets off, then he's grabbed from behind by the goalkeeper, who he pushes off, who then falls to the floor. He's done nothing to warrant a red card."

Pompey assistant manager Leam Richardson was also sent off at half-time, and Money commented on his behaviour.

"They've done a number on us. When you see the assistant manager running behind the goal at the end punching the air with his fists and saying 'Yes I got him' then I think that pretty much tells you.

"(Portsmouth are a) massive club, great club, play lovely football, but if I'm honest it's that what it takes to win football games then it's time for me to pack in."