Portsmouth v Oxford: Drama at Fratton Park as Blues have player sent off

Pompey have suffered a huge blow in their bid to retain their Championship status.

The Blues are currently taking on relegation rivals Oxford United at Fratton Park in a huge game at the bottom of the second tier.

John Mousinho’s side struck first blood when Keshi Anderson, making his first start for the PO4 side, gave them the lead with a fantastically-executed left-shot effort on nine minutes.

However, less than 10 minutes later Pompey found themselves down to 10 men when Conor Ogilvie was shown a straight red card by match official Josh Smith for his challenge on the U’s’ Stanley Mills.

The referee’s decision to send the Blues left-back off stunned the Fratton faithful, especially with so much riding on the game.

And it seems their shock is has been repeated by former Pompey skipper Michael Brown, who believes the decision was harsh.

Acting as a co-commentator on Sky Sports, the one-time midfielder said: ‘The decision, when you're looking at it, right, I can see it, but I'm wondering why?

‘Is it he (the referee) thinks that first contact is really high up on his leg?

‘The player stays down, he waits, he looks, the officials are right there, he think he gets it right, I understand why he thinks that, the player stays down, he feels like he's injured, he feels like he's used excessive force, but not for me!’

As a consequence of Ogilive’s exit, Pompey were forced to reshuffle their pack, with Conor Chaplin substituted and replaced by Jordan Williams.

The decision meand Pompey have to play the remaining 73 minutes with 10 men.