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Awford frustrated by Portsmouth

Image: Andy Awford: Bemoans fatigued Portsmouth

Portsmouth boss Andy Awford felt his side were 'leggy' as they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Accrington.

Midfielder Anthony Barry was sent off for Stanley in the 53rd minute for a challenge on Danny Hollands but mid-table Pompey could not capitalise. Josh Windass had given Accrington a 16th-minute lead with a 25-yard free-kick which flew into the top corner of the net. Portsmouth came straight back with Ryan Taylor heading home the equaliser from a corner on 20 minutes. Stanley had a host of chances but Dan Butler did hit the crossbar just before the break and, while Pompey had the man advantage, they did not really threaten keeper Scott Davies in the last half hour. "I am frustrated," said Awford, whose side have lost once in nine games. "When they went down to 10 men we had a lot of the ball and a few opportunities but we couldn't quite take them. "I think we were fortunate to go in level at the break as Accrington were the best side in the first half. "They scored from a superb free kick and then we got back in it through Ryan Taylor and Dan hit the bar. "If I am honest, that's our fourth game in however many days and I think we looked leggy and we couldn't get our normal tempo or gusto going. "I can't fault the effort and we upped the tempo after the break and it's just a shame we couldn't get the winning goal - that's the frustrating thing." Awford revealed Hollands had marks on his legs from Barry's challenge but admitted: "You see those given sometimes and not on other days." John Coleman was angry with the dismissal after his side had been on top in the first half. "We missed a host of chances in the first half," said the Reds manager. "That's been a problem in some of our recent games is that we are not putting teams to bed when we are on top. "We scored a great goal and worked so hard to create chances in the first half but then we gifted them a goal and that's hard to take. "It's testament to the lads' character that they battled hard in the second half and held on for a point. "You can't legislate for what happens (with the sending-off). Everything that does go against us seems to at the moment and it is frustrating."

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