Paul Cook lifts lid on Pompey pain

But the Pompey boss vowed there will be more twists and turns in his side’s bid to reach League One after frustrating defeat to Oxford United.

Cook’s side fell to a 1-0 loss to the U’s in the much-anticipated battle of the high-fliers on Saturday.

A near sell-out crowd saw former Pompey boss Michael Appleton’s side snare all three points at Fratton Park.

The result flattened Blues fans with hopes the game could propel their side back towards the automatic promotion berths.

They were dashed, however, and Cook told how that was a dagger blow for his players to take.

Cook said: ‘We’ve had good days lately but it was a disappointment. A huge disappointment,

‘We’re a big club but my job is to manage that disappointment.

‘It hurts and it should hurt for the players.

‘We have to lick our wounds and come back stronger.

‘We’ve been on a great run – a smashing run.

‘It’s a long time since we lost at home, so it’s disappointing.

‘We never got going or looked as fluent as we should.

‘They were better than us at the start and we couldn’t get near them.

‘Great credit to Oxford. They are a good team, probably the best to come to Fratton Park this season.

‘It wasn’t our day but it’s important we stay together.