Mark Kennedy delivers 'mature' verdict on Lincoln City draw at Portsmouth

Lincoln City left Portsmouth with a share of the spoils after a goalless draw at Fratton Park.

Nearly 18,000 fans turned out for what was far from a classic, though the players' fitness was tested in hot conditions. Pompey’s five home debutants were unable to help break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes. Lincoln failed to have a single shot on target, whereas the hosts managed four.

Reeco Hackett had the best of those chances on 43 minutes, having two bites of the cherry. His first effort bounced off goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, but his follow-up effort under pressure was way over the crossbar.

The second half did not fare much better, although Pompey made four substitutions and Lincoln two. The changes brought the game to life, but shots on target and goals failed to materialise as Pompey boss Danny Cowley was forced to settle for a point against his old club.

Lincoln boss Mark Kennedy said afterwards: “It was a great credit to the team and the staff today. I say that because a lot of things go on on the touchline which people don’t know about. Everybody has played their part today.

“It was a very mature performance. We were surprised at the eight added minutes. No one seemed to help us on that side of things today, but we all just get on with it, and we were aggressive until the final whistle.

“We didn’t get any rub of the green today, but the referees have a tough job. I thought Adam Jackson was outstanding when he came on.

“I say that because he hasn’t played any games, and he did himself justice. We’ve got a lot of new staff in, so we are all getting to know each other. But there is a real unity within the whole group.”

Cowley revealed that a stomach bug had ripped through his squad in the build-up to the game.

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