Bentley "proud'' of his players after Pompey draw
SHRIMPS' boss Jim Bentley said he was "proud'' of his players after their 3-3 draw at Portsmouth on Saturday.
Bentley had seen his side storm into a 3-0 lead with some superb attacking football but with several players on their feet and carrying niggles the home side, hotly tipped for the League 2 title this year, pulled back the deficit with two goals from the excellent Gary Roberts before Jayden Stockley’s 95th-minute header handed 10-man Pompey a point.
Bentley said: "Coming into the game a lot of people wouldn't have given us a chance of getting anything from the game but in the end we’re gutted we haven’t got the three points.
“We had decent chances to wrap the game up and didn’t take it and with the last kick of the game they’ve scored.
“But the performance first half was absolutely brilliant. Five or six wouldn’t have flattered us.
“We knew we could hurt them and we scored three good goals which was really pleasing.
“They’ve got a player in Gary Roberts who can make things happen, one of the best in the league.
“It was a great free-kick and after the second it was all hands to the pump.
“The sending off didn’t change anything because for me we were nearly down to 10 due to injuries and the lack of games in the lads’ legs.
“Jamie Devitt could barely walk at the end, Shaun Miller was lacking games, Alan Goodall came off injured, we had to throw Adam Dugdale in with half a pre-season because of suspensions and Shaun Beeley was a doubt for the game and soldiered on.
“But what a fantastic game it was. I’m proud of the players. I just feel sorry for them and the fans that we aren’t going back with three points.”