Portsmouth boss on ‘strange’ Oxford United controversy

Pompey left back Connor Ogilvie was sent off after 21 minutes for a strong challenge on Stan Mills, whilst Brodie Spencer evaded a second yellow card in the second half.

At a malicious Fratton Park, Oxford thought they had found a winner when Will Lankshear put them 2-1 up with nine minutes left, only for Andre Dozzell to equalise six minutes later.

Keshi Anderson has given the hosts an early lead before Spencer levelled instantly in the second period, scoring his first goal for the U’s.

“My take on the red in real time was…I didn’t think anyone in this stadium was expecting it to be a red, including Oxford,” former Yellows captain Mousinho reacted after the game.

“Oxford’s bench’s reaction…no-one’s asking for anything.

“In these circumstances, when the stakes are so high, you tend to do that. As a manager, as a coaching staff, I didn’t think it was a red card.

“I think if you’re going to do something as monumental as that in a game, you have to be 100% sure.

“I’m not going to hide away from the fact that I don’t think Connor needs to make the challenge. But if that’s a red card, there’s going to be a fair few red cards dished out over the next few weeks.

“My thought in the moment was it wasn’t red and when I’ve seen it back, I don’t think it was.

“There was a heavy challenge that went in on one of my players, then you can talk about the consistency of a decision for the red card versus yellow card.

Brodie Spencer celebrates scoring his first Oxford United goal against Portsmouth (Image: Oxford United)

“My issue with the Spencer one was just to clear up that second yellow.

 “There was no need for anything other to happen. Spencer being booked and he ended up getting sent off. Everyone in the crowd knew it.

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“Everyone on the ground knew it. We knew it. Oxford knew it

“They whipped him off straight away. They’re not idiots. He was almost laughing on the bench.

“Not in a disrespectful way, but I couldn’t believe what had actually happened.

“It was such a strange decision.

“I think we’ll definitely appeal [the Ogilvie red card.”

“We would have been really disappointed with the point before the game.

“But with the circumstances, obviously, the red card and playing that long with 10 men and also going a goal down late on. We’ll take it and dust ourselves off and move on.”