Steve Cotterill felt Portsmouth side lacked experience after conceding a late equaliser to Reading.
Pompey boss laments late Royals goal in draw at Fratton Park
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill felt that his side lacked the experience to hold onto their lead after conceding a late goal to Reading in the 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.
Teenager Nadir Ciftci looked to have given threadbare Pompey all three points in his first league start for the club but the Royals were not to be denied and winger Jimmy Kebe got on the end of a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross four minutes from the end to nick a vital point.
Cotterill, who only had four players on the bench and lost John Utaka to an early injury, 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."
Satisfied
Reading manager Brian McDermott was satisfied with the performance of his team as he praised his side's late comeback.
He said: "It was a point gained in the end.
"I thought that we played really well at times. I think that we could have won the game but I am not disappointed with the result.
"I was delighted with the way the team played and I hope we can take that into our next game. We lacked a cutting edge but some of the build-up play was great.
"I am now just looking forward to the game at Nottingham Forest. I was disappointed with the Scunthorpe game last Saturday because we lost.
"I felt we should have won that game just like I felt we should have won this game. It was a scrappy game but I still feel we could have won in the end."
