Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill blamed the inexperience of his threadbare squad for conceding a late equaliser in the 1-1 Championship draw with Reading. Cotterill, who only had four players on the bench and lost John Utaka to injury after 17 minutes, said: "I think that we played really well.
"We did not win the game because we did not have any subs. I think we were strong but lacked the experience to win the game.
"I could be upset because they scored a late goal but I am not. For 18 to 19-year-olds you have to expect them to lack experience.
"The fans were brilliant as well - I am pleased with them. I am delighted with the lads and it is a very decent point. Now we must look forward to Preston next Saturday.
"It was a battling performance and I am very pleased. Some of the players like Nadir Ciftci were excellent.
"If a team comes in for Ciftci then I have to let him go out on loan because he needs experience down at the lower levels.
"I felt that Carl Dickinson played really well for his first game in a long time. He lacks fitness but he will get there in the end."