'I was thinking do we take a point?': Portsmouth boss' admission after remarkable late, late win over Swansea

John Mousinho hailed Pompey’s counter-attacking qualities after digging in to defend for a point was transformed into a late, late win.

The Blues breathed again when Swansea substitute Ross Stewart struck the bar in the 88th minute with the goal gaping, wasting a chance to make it 2-1 to the high-flying visitors.

The Swans were made to rue that spurned opportunity with Terry Devlin and Thomas Waddingham subsequently both netted in stoppage time to claim a remarkable 3-1 success for Mousinho’s men.

Victory after the death now leaves the Blues in 10th, outside the play-off positions on goal difference.

And their head coach applauded a stunning last-gasp triumph.

He told The News: ‘I’m delighted with the result, we would obviously have taken that all day.

‘When they equalised I thought at this point do we shut up shop and take a point? That’s fine, but we did have a front three of Murphy, Kamara and Waddingham at that point.

‘We made the substitutions to be attacking, we made the substitutions to stay athletic as the game went on, so we always knew there was a chance of us breaking down the other end really quickly.

‘We looked a lot stronger from set-plays and thankfully one has gone in, then the break at the end, which I thought Wadds fully deserved.

‘I was not necessarily looking for a point, I just thought with the way that the game had gone and how we had sunk in a little deeper, what we had to do was defend and make sure we are diligent in the way we defend - and be a lot better at catching Swansea on the counter.

‘The big frustration was how poor we have been with the quality in the counter-attack when some of the times we’ve given them the ball back. There was a slight worry we’d do that and succumb to Swansea's counter press.

‘But I always knew that if we actually put our foot on the ball, show that quality and break beyond with that pace and athleticism, we could get something.’

Devlin had earlier grabbed a 36th-minute opener, having been recalled to the starting XI in place of Zak Swanson.

Although Zan Vipotnik levelled from the penalty spot in the 85th minute after Regan Poole was adjudged to have pulled back the striker.

Mousinho added: ‘The first 45 minutes we were absolutely superb in executing what we were trying to do against a very, very good side.

‘The first shot Swansea had was the Goncalo Franco attempt, which they worked from the set-piece which we had disappointingly given away.

‘The second half was slightly different, we started really well, but, as the game went on, we maybe tired a bit, the press wasn’t quite as intense and front footed.

‘Ironically Swansea scored from one of their longer balls that they knocked down and won a penalty - but the response was absolutely superb.’