Pompey v Barnet: McGurk believes ref got it right

Adam McGurk was in no doubt his crucial goal against Barnet should have stood.
Kyle Bennett was not interfering with play when Adam McGurk scored. Picture: Joe PeplerKyle Bennett was not interfering with play when Adam McGurk scored. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kyle Bennett was not interfering with play when Adam McGurk scored. Picture: Joe Pepler

McGurk grabbed his second effort of the campaign as Pompey returned to winning ways with a 3-1 success against Barnet yesterday.

But the Bees were seething about the strike being given.

Kyle Bennett was clearly in an offside position as Adam Webster aimed a pass in his direction with the linesman flagging.

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But Bennett played no part in the move as the ball found its way to McGurk, who advanced and coolly dispatched a finish.

The 26-year-old felt referee Darren England made the right decision allowing the goal to stand.

He said: ‘They were complaining Kyle was offside.

‘Kyle was offside but he wasn’t interfering with play.

‘I just made the run, gambled and was able to put it away.’

Pompey had to come from behind to snare the points in their first league meeting with Barnet.

Sloppy defending gave Andy Yiadom the freedom of the penalty area to put Barnet in front after 25 minutes.

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Conor Chaplin then levelled it up before McGurk stepped up for Paul Cook’s side.

McGurk felt his side showed character to get back into the game and deal with the physical threat of Martin Allen’s side.

McGurk said: ‘It was a poor start but we showed character to come back.

‘They are a physical side.

‘We could have been better but created chances. I think the result was the right one.

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‘I think we handled them pretty well apart from the goal. The goal was sloppy which is disappointing.

‘But to bounce back and get the goal before half-time gave us a lift.’

McGurk believes the clash with Barnet was typical of what Pompey can expect to face in the coming months.

The attacker knows all about what is needed to deliver success at this level after winning the division with Burton Albion last season.

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And he feels Pompey will have to show similar qualities to those seen on Saturday to tread a similar path.

McGurk said: ‘You are going to come across all different sides in this league.

‘I’ve won this league and been here the last two years. I know what it’s about.

‘You probably get four or five easy games a season.

‘The rest are going to be battles.

‘It’s probably easier in League One where you get more time and respect

‘But there are going to be battles like this and you need to show character.’