Cambridge United 1-3 Portsmouth

Matt Tubbs fired in a shot to give Portsmouth the lead at Cambridge

Portsmouth came from behind to maintain their unbeaten away record with victory in an eventful game at Cambridge.

Robbie Simpson gave the hosts a controversial lead as he raced through.

Cambridge's Mark Roberts was sent off for violent conduct at half-time and Pompey equalised through Leon Legge's own goal after the interval.

Matt Tubbs finished a Gareth Evans cross for the lead and headed a second to seal a win slightly marred by an injury-time red card for Gareth Evans.

Evans was sent off for a foul on Elliot Omozusi, but the late dismissal did not prevent Paul Cook's side going temporarily joint top of League Two on goal difference.

Neither did the confusing nature of Cambridge's goal.

An offside flag was raised as Simpson latched on to Luke Berry's pass behind the visiting defence and Portsmouth's players stopped in their tracks.

Simpson carried on to round goalkeeper Aaron McCarey and score and, despite protests, referee Seb Stockbridge let the goal stand and overruled the assistant's decision.

Cambridge's Roberts was sent off as tempers frayed again among the players as they made their way to the tunnel for the interval. He clashed with McCarey and Portsmouth assistant manager Leam Richardson.

Portsmouth eventually made the man advantage count as Tubbs's shot was deflected past Sam Beasant via Legge's attempted clearance.

Within 120 seconds, the former Bournemouth striker had a goal of his own and his second in as many games.

His low right-foot shot rifled past Beasant and then he was in the right place to head in to a vacant net in the closing moments, netting on the rebound after Kal Naismith hit the bar, to make the points safe.

Portsmouth manager Paul Cook told BBC Radio Solent:

"It was a good test for us at half-time, because a patient passing game that we can usually be criticised for certainly worked well today.

"Our ball retention in the second half moved them about really well. We got deeper and deeper and then we were able to score goals by putting quality in the box.

"(Cambridge's goal) was offside, the linesman flagged for offside and then we get told the referee said it came off us.

"We watched it again, Berry passes forward for his player, and he's offside. Listen, whether good or bad, the referees make decisions. I'll never criticise them, if we got beat 1-0 today I would say the same thing."