A youthful Portsmouth side were beaten 2-0 by Exeter at St. James' Park tonight as they were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Paul Cook handed debuts to Adam Barton, Calvin Davies and Brandon Joseph-Buadi whilst Adam May and Ben Tollitt were also given their first starts for Pompey.
On the other hand, Paul Tisdale selected a fairly strong side that were matched by the young Pompey team as Adam McGurk fluffed a one-on-one with the Grecians goalkeeper in the first minute and Conor Chaplin also struck the crossbar with a free kick at the end of the first half.
The hosts took the lead with a penalty from Ryan Harley in the 54th minute after Tom McCready was brought down by Joseph-Buadi. Paul Jones was then beaten with an angled strike by Alex Nicholls in the 72nd minute to confirm Pompey's exit from the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, although it seems like the youngsters gave a good account of themselves.
Cook's decision to make so many changes has unfairly cost the club £5,000 due to the breach of a stupid Football League rule which imposes a limit on the amount of changes that can be made from the previous match when playing a cup tie.
This could well be the last we see of the academy side as Pompey's only cup competition remaining is the FA Cup and whilst the Johnstone's Tinpot Trophy was treated as the third-rate competition it is you would hope that the trophy that Portsmouth won in 2008 will be treated with the respect it deserves and Cook will field a stronger side.
But for now, a far more important match with Accrington Stanley awaits on Saturday with three important league points up for grabs.