Boss Kieran McKenna is expecting a hostile reception and Portsmouth to give the Blues a “physically imposing game” at Fratton Park on Thursday evening.
Town dropped to second in the League One table following a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park, the Chairboys’ first ever victory over the Blues. Brandon Hanlon skipped his way into the area before slotting into the net five minutes before half-time with Town dominating the second half but rarely looking like finding an equaliser against a determined Wycombe side.
Sub Cian Hayes netted a 96th-minute equaliser to deny the Blues victory as Town and Fleetwood drew 1-1 at Portman Road, Luke Woolfenden having given the home side a second-minute lead. Second-placed Town looked destined to leap to the top of League One with Plymouth losing at home to Port Vale until Hayes’s late, late deflected goal claimed a point for the Cod Army, who ended the game with 10 men following ex-Blues loanee Josh Earl’s dismissal for making obscene gestures as he celebrated their goal.
Town skipper Sam Morsy has warned that tomorrow night’s Portman Road opponents Fleetwood could carry a greater threat than their current league position might suggest.