Report by Ben Davis

Pompey slumped to their third successive league defeat and have still only scored one goal in five matches. Fenwick, impressed by Pompey's fine display against Wimbledon, picked the same side, and Oxford were also unchanged after their cup shock over Sheffield Wednesday.
The home side were the brighter in the opening minutes with Robinson drilling over the first effort of the game after Perrett had cleared. Oxford then attacked sharply again as Whitehead's clearance from a Pompey free-kick found Beachamp on the left. Flahavan though got down well to collect the winger's low cross.
Flahavan handled well again from Bobby Ford's long range effort and that was the last Oxford were to threaten as Pompey ventured forward and won a free-kick when Mike Ford fouled the tricky Carter. That went for a corner which was badly taken by Carter and Oxford cleared with ease.
In the 18th minute Oxford took the lead. Jemson, who this season has rediscovered his old form since his Sheffield Wednesday days, put a low left footed cross in the area and it was picked up by Beachamp who nudged it past Flahavan from six yards.
Pompey were let off the took minutes later when Elliot's flick on from Beachamp's corner looked to have set up former Ville striker Paul Moody but he missed it.
Bradbury then forced Whitehead into losing possession and with an open goal Carter lobbed the ball over from 18-yards.Carter though almost made up for that for one of his typical mazy runs which took him past three players into the area, but his low shot came back off the post and fell kindly to Whitehead.
At the other end Moody was causing problems and he appealed for a penalty as he fell down under Butters's challenge but the referee gave a corner instead which lead to Oxford taking a strong hold on the game. The offside trap failed as the ball was player back over the defence and at first it seem Gilchrist's little touch would be a goal but that hit the post and Mike Ford gleefully scored.
Pompey may have pulled a goal back shortly before half-time when Bradbury's knock down found McLoughlin's whose header was cleared off the line by Gilchrist. Pompey were certain that he had used is hand in clearing it and the arguments continued in the tunnel at half-time.
The second half started in a scrappy way with both sides making mistakes. McLoughlin gave away possession and luckily Russell made a well-time tackle on Bobby Ford to cut out the danger. The game went dirty when Moody crunched though Russell which the referee failed to notice but did spot Russell's reaction as the Oxford striker laid flat out on the ground. Bobby Ford though hit the kick wide and justice was done.
Butters still continued to protest over the incident and got him self booked. Oxford still pushed forward with Beachamp finding Moody and Russell deflected his shot out for a corner.
With Pompey needing to go forward it left gaps at the back and Moody's pass to Jemson looked a certain goal. Oxford's leading scorer with seven wasted the great chance as Flahavan gathered his shot easily.
Pompey's task was then made even harder when Butters grabbed a hold of Moody's shirt and he was booked for the second time and sent off. Moody fired over from the resulting free-kick and McLoughlin was then cautioned making it a day to regret.
Beachamp then had chances to increase Oxford's lead. The first one he crashed against the outside of Flahavan's right-hand post and the second Flahavan tipped onto the underside of the crossbar and it fortunately fell the right side of the line for Pompey. This was not the result Pompey would have wanted as they go into the hectic week with a game on Tuesday and then on Friday against to tough sides, Crystal Palace and Tranmere.