A stoppage time header from Aruna Dindane salvaged a priceless point for troubled Portsmouth as their encounter with Sunderland ended in a 1-1 draw in a game of three red cards at Fratton Park.
Pompey, who face a winding-up order on Wednesday, went behind when Ricardo Rocha saw red for tripping Darren Bent and the striker scored from the spot.
Sunderland had Lee Cattermole and David Meyler sent off, while Matt Kilgallon volleyed against a post.
Pompey's numerical advantage told and in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Dindane met O'Hara's deep cross and headed home.
A draw was the very least Portsmouth deserved for an outstanding display on a night when their entire existence was in the balance.
The debt-ridden south coast outfit have a date at the High Court on Wednesday, when they face a winding-up petition relating to an unpaid VAT bill of £7.5m.
They remain in talks with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over a deal which they hope will lead to action being dropped but if their appeal against the petition fails, they could be placed into liquidation.
In the meantime, Portsmouth may go into administration and incur a 10-point deduction, but that would at least allow the books to be audited and keep alive their hope that a new owner can be found.
And spirits around Fratton Park will be lifted by a performance of great character and persistence from Avram Grant's team.
They remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety - but in football terms they are capable of avoiding relegation to the Championship.
Meanwhile, talks with Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue (HMRC) to try to get the action dropped broke down, but Portsmouth are still keen for a 28-day adjournment.
The last-minute negotiations between Pompey's lawyers and HMRC came a week after businessman Balram Chainrai became the club's fourth owner this season.
In addition the Fratton Park team are being sued by former defender Sol Campbell for £1.7m for unpaid image rights.
0 коментара:
Post a Comment