Manager Graham Rix watched his Portsmouth reserve side play Brentford at Fratton Park last - and saw them produce a performance that should have sent the Londoners home pointless.

But numerous chances were wasted which should have put the match out of reach for the visitors by the interval, after which the Bees had just two chances - and took them both, winning 2-1.

From the start Pompey looked to have taken the lead when Guy Whittingham flashed a header against a post and Joe McNab fired the ball in as it fell to him only to be ruled offside.

But a goal soon followed when Steve Lovell, who had earlier gone close, met a superb McNab cross to bury a header into the roof of the net.

With trialist Garry Brady calling the tune in midfield with some superb passing, it was Pompey who pushed forward and were so close to a second as McNab headed a Carl Pettefer cross just over.

Scott Hiley, back from his one match suspension, was really up for it, continually winning the ball where it matters with some solid defending.

Indeed, Hiley became provider, picking up a ball near halfway and clipping a superb pass over the defence to get Whittingham clear but he shot tamely wide from 12 yards.

But Brentford shook things up with a fine equaliser, Julian Charles racing clear to beat keeper Andy Petterson as he charged out to meet him.

Brady and Pettefer were still setting up chances and Lovell twice got on the end of them but shot over.

When Brady was substituted on 70 minutes, Pompey lost all direction and it was the Bees who had one final sting in their tails, Charles heading home a free kick after Stefani Miglioranzi was harshly adjudged to have fouled just outside his area.

Afterwards Rix was full of praise for the side and said 'I thought they were excellent, not just the senior players but the youngsters as well. Yes, we lost the match but I saw some very promising performances from them.'

Pompey Reserves: Petterson, Hiley, J McNab, Miglioranzi, Buxton, N McNab, Brady, Thogersen, Lovell, Whittingham, Pettefer.