Oxford United draw with Portsmouth in lively relegation clash

Dubbed a relegation six-pointer, the match saw four goals, one red card, and five yellows with nothing able to split the two clubs.

Keshi Anderson’s earlier opener preceded a controversial red card for Connor Ogilvie, Brodie Spencer then equalising early in the second half.

Will Lankshear later put the U’s ahead but Pompey responded by levelling through Andre Dozzell.

A feisty Fratton Park spurred the hosts on to a lively start, Jamie Cumming preventing a near own goal from Ciaron Brown early on.

The ninth minute welcomed the opening goal, Anderson chopping onto his left foot and swiping the ball home after Colby Bishop headed it back to him in the box.

An already manic stadium soon turned ballistic when Pompey left back Ogilvie was sent off for a tackle on Stan Mills, the home support furious with referee Josh Smith’s decision, one fan even throwing a bottle at the official.

The U’s looked shaken by the atmosphere as the hosts thrived off it, attacking with energy.

Gustavo Caballero missed a huge chance to double the lead, firing over from inside the box after a low cross fell to him.

An early second half penalty shout for Pompey was denied before the Yellows equalised three minutes in.

Mills’ powerful shot from range was parried by Nicolas Schmid into the path of Spencer who was there to score his first goal for the club.

The U’s continued well, Will Vaulks shooting over and a good run and cross from Mills failing to be met.

Spencer controversially escaped a second yellow after a foul on Terry Devlin which the home fans were incensed by.

A deflected shot over from Mills preceded the huge moment when Oxford completed their comeback.

After a corner, the ball found its way to Michal Helik who held off his man and floated a peach of a cross onto the head of Lankshear who nodded into the top right corner.

Pompey responded with energy, Jordan Williams seeing a shot headed away by Brown.

Heartache hit for the U’s in the 87th minute, Millenic Alli pulling the ball back to Dozzell who slid the ball into the bottom right corner.

Late Oxford pressure came to nothing, with the result leaving them still in the relegation zone, Pompey one point above them.

Pompey: Schmid, Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie, Pack, Dozzell, Caballero, Chaplin (Williams 21), Anderson (Alli 81), Bishop

Oxford: Cumming, Long (ter Avest 46), Helik, Brown, Spencer (Placheta 66), Konak (Vaulks 46), Brannagan, Mills, Donley, Peart-Harris (Harris 80), Lankshear

Bookings: Dozzell, Pack; Spencer, Vaulks, Helik

Red cards: Ogilvie