It's not very often you visit a ground twice and the least exciting game ends 7-4!  A delayed kick off meant that final whistles werre blowing around the league as Southend entered the last fifteen minutes a goal and a man down, but 800 travelling Shrimpers were treated to a rousing finish as the ten men scored not once, but twice and then grimly held on for a fantastic win against the managerless hosts.  The final whistle finally went at 10pm but the long midweek return journey home (avoiding the A3 which remained closed) seemed less arduous after the events at Fratton Park.  Thanks for the great hospitality at a famous old ground - I'm sure Portsmouth will be a force to be reckoned with again very soon...

And what of that 7-4?  There was no hint of the drama to come with the half time score at 2-1 in this top flight encounter against Reading.  The second half was end to end with both sides scoring freely including two goals in injury time.  And Reading missed a penalty!  The old ground was rocking - and I will probably never see another game like it...