THERE were mixed emotions as Didcot Town put in an excellent display before losing at Portsmouth in the FA Youth Cup.

First-half goals from Connor Barrett and Tyler Webb put the underdogs in charge of the first round tie at Fratton Park.

Although Pompey pulled a goal back early in the second half, the visitors’ lead was still intact until the 83rd minute.

But after equalising, the home side found another gear, scoring twice more to run out 4-2 winners.

Craig Adey, manager at Procision Academy, who represent Didcot, said: “We’re extremely proud, but also we were feeling we should be in the next round.

“Any neutrals there would have struggled to see which side was from a League One set-up and which was the academy representing a club in the Southern League.

“We were very good in the first half and I don’t think they could have had any complaints if we were another goal to the good at half-time.

“We had a great chance to go 3-1 up with ten minutes left, they then scored a great goal and we collapsed a bit in the last few minutes.

“It was a tough changing room afterwards.

“That’s football and it’s part of their learning and experience.

“We had so many fantastic messages from parents and supporters, we have all been touched by that.”

Lockdown rules which come into force today mean the Youth Cup tie will be the last game the side play until at least December.