Awford frustrated by leveller

Portsmouth manager Andy Awford was disappointed that his side failed to see out the game against struggling Carlisle.

Charlie Wyke's goal deep into added time earned Carlisle a 2-2 draw and enabled them to remain fourth bottom, but Awford was upset with the amount of time added on by referee Nigel Miller. He said: "I don't criticise referees, but the easiest part of their job is to get the time right and we were well into the fifth minute when their keeper kicked it forward. I thought he would blow while the ball was in the air. "But we have to do better and see it out and defend that ball. However I am disappointed that the ref chose to play in excess of five minutes when the agreed time was four." Awford admitted:"You don't always get what you deserve and we didn't here. We could have had three or four goals. There were gaps and maybe we should have put the game to bed earlier." "We dominated after the first 15 to 20 minutes and Jed Wallace scored a magnificent goal and had a part in the other goal. We needed something special to get us going and he provided that. "Everyone gave their all and the support we had was terrific again. It's a shame we could not hold on to give them a happier journey home." Carlisle had a dream start with a Kyle Dempsey goal after just 88 seconds. Brad Potts had the first effort which was blocked, but the midfielder picked up possession 20 yards out to drill a low right footer past Paul Jones. Wallace's equaliser in the 38th minute was a spectacular 25-yarder and Wallace then turned provider for Matt Tubbs to put Portsmouth ahead on the stroke of half time. Pompey looked to have seen it out successfully until Wyke struck at the death, following up after Jason Kennedy had been blocked, to slide the ball past Jones from just inside the area. Carlisle manager Keith Curle delivered a half time rocket for his team after they surrendered their early advantage. He told his men to 'tear town trees and move mountains' and admitted:"I've shown my aggressive side and got in their faces. "Every goal and every point we get to the end of the season is important. The players showed they have still got a lot to learn. We made an excellent start and if we'd got a second goal things might have been better for us. "It's the first time since I've been here that I have had to spell out to the players exactly what we need to do. We had a good 25 minutes then got nervous and there was a lack of communication and desire and they were not doing their jobs." Curle added: "We needed to stop Portsmouth playing at their tempo. To their credit the players kept on going and showed willingness and they feel they got their rewards. We will scrap right to the end of the season and the mental impact of that late goal is important. "A few players got a half time rollicking and it was a test for them, but they accepted it and got on with their jobs in the second half."