Pompey Edged Out Of Cup By Sky Blues

Last updated : 09 August 2016 By Jim Bonner

Portsmouth are out of the League Cup after being beaten 3-2 at the Ricoh Arena by Coventry after extra time.

Paul Cook opted to make eleven changes from the team that started against Carlisle on Saturday. The more interesting team selections saw Alex Bass in goal, the transfer-listed Kal Naismith play at left back and Adam May play in midfield.

The visitors took the lead when Kyle Bennett was brought down in the box by Marcus Tudgay although it looked like he went down easily. Curtis Main struck the spot kick in the top corner as Pompey went into the break a goal up.

Coventry improved in the second half and equalised on the hour when Ryan Haynes scored from the edge of the box. The hosts took then took the lead when Ruben Lameiras produced a pass for Vladimir Gadzhev who slotted past Bass.

Just when it looked like Pompey were heading out of the competition in 90 minutes, Naismith scored a stunning free kick to equalise with five minutes remaining to take the game to extra time.

Bennett had a great chance to win the game after Noel Hunt squared the ball to him but he couldn't take it around the Coventry keeper and that wastefulness was punished when Bass pushed Haynes' shot but Andy Rose followed up and thus Paul Cook's men were knocked out of the League Cup.

Nobody really cares about this result. It was good to see the fringe players hold their own but getting the three points at Crewe on Saturday is all that matters now.