Holloway unhappy after draw

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway claimed his side had been robbed of victory by referee Robert Madley after Stephen Crainey's fine free-kick rescued a 1-1 draw and kept the Seasiders' unbeaten start to 2012 alive.

But Holloway was convinced his side ought to have had a free-kick in the build-up to Erik Huseklepp's opener, admitting Blackpool's promotion hopes have suffered a blow despite a point keeping them in the play-off places.

He said: "We knew Portsmouth would come here, fight and battle, they've got lots of good experienced players. But their goal just wasn't right. There were two fouls on our players leading up to it, and so while we're looking at gearing up for a free-kick, they break away and score a goal at a crucial time. Both of them were so blatant, where's the justice in situations like that?"

He added: "We're still unbeaten in 2012, but it doesn't feel like it. We set high standards here so we're all disappointed that we aren't going home with the three points.

"I suppose looking back we didn't really get the rub of the green."

Just before the break, Portsmouth took the lead as skipper Liam Lawrence squeezed a low cross back for Norwegian Huseklepp, who buried his sixth goal of the season from close range.

Huseklepp then missed a one-on-one and was made to pay when Crainey produced a moment of magic - but while Pompey are in financial turmoil, boss Michael Appleton was full of praise for his players' character in adversity.

"Overall I suppose a draw was a fair outcome, but I'm disappointed because we ought to have been two up before they equalised," said Appleton. "We had three or four great opportunities to score a second, and although Erik took his goal well, he had two or three chances of his own to add to his tally.

"Ever since the first week I came here though, the players have given everything despite what's been going on in the background.

"We've lost a few matches in that time of course, but on every occasion the side that beat us knew they'd been in a game."