Town’s FA Cup run ended at the third round stage for the sixth successive year as the 10-man Blues were beaten 2-1 by League Two Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Former Blue Gary Roberts netted a penalty in the 32nd minute, then Marc McNulty added a second five minutes later to give Pompey a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead, then after the break Ainsley Maitland-Niles pulled one back before Piotr Malarczyk was sent off for two bookable offences.
Former Blue Gary Roberts netted a penalty in the 32nd minute and Marc McNulty added a second five minutes later to give Portsmouth a comfortable 2-0 lead over Town in their third round replay at Fratton Park at half-time.
Town boss Mick McCarthy believes League Two Portsmouth’s players will go into tonight’s FA Cup third round replay at Fratton Park expecting to beat the Blues having performed so well in the first game at Portman Road, which ended 2-2. McCarthy is set to field a young side and, as he did at Manchester United in the Capital One Cup earlier in the season, could even switch his entire XI.