Burgess: Pompey showed resolve

Conor Chaplin’s moment of brilliance earned Paul Cook’s side a 1-1 draw at The Hive in a scrappy clash.

Barnet looked set to collect all three points after Mauro Vilhete’s free-kick put them in front with eight minutes left.

But Chaplin struck in the 89th minute to see the Blues come away with a return.

It was a game low on quality in north London and proved a messy affair.

The pitch proved a challenge to a passing game, leading to Cook taking a more direct approach.

Burgess saw the result as a point gained rather than two dropped after the game.

The 25-year-old felt his side showed fighting qualities and the point could make all the difference at the end of the campaign.

Burgess said: ‘It wasn’t our best performance but we weren’t fazed by the challenge, and that has to be a good thing looking back.

‘It’s a point gained. They are a good side.

‘We’ve taken seven points from nine. That’s a return we’d take.

‘It was a scrappy game, a real battle, and there wasn’t a lot of time on the ball.

‘You have to keep it tight. It was tough so you have to take the point and move on.

‘We needed to keep our concentration and we mostly did that.

‘It was bobbly and tough to play on that pitch. No one could get the ball down but we were solid.

‘It’s probably a point gained, and could make a difference at the end of the season.

‘It’s there for us still – and there’s a huge game to come against Carlisle now.’

Burgess also took solace from Pompey shackling League Two’s top scorer in John Akinde.

Akinde has 20 efforts to his name this term and no one scored more goals in English football last year.

Burgess impressed in keeping the former Pompey striker under wraps.

He knew he had to be sharp to be successful in that mission.

Burgess said: ‘It was a sticky, bobbly pitch and there were ricochets.

‘It’s really tough but he didn’t score and that’s a positive. You have to give him respect because of his strength.

‘If you give him time, he’ll roll you.

‘Sometimes you just have to get goal side and hold him up.

‘He’s a big lad and he knows what he’s doing.

‘He’s good at what does and he’s definitely a handful.

‘So you have to keep focused on what you’re doing.

‘I made some good tackles and blocks but let them in a couple of times – I’ve got to be a bit better with that.

‘There were ups and downs in my performance.

‘These are hard games to play in and they are a good unit.

‘There’s no shame in taking the point from the game and moving on.’