FA Cup news

The high-flying Bees travelled to St Mary's as strong favourites but in the end were sent back to London with their tails between their legs. They will now have to endure the prospect of a replay against their South Coast opponents after what can only be called a deeply disappointing result for Martin Allen's team.

Allen, a former Portsmouth player, refused to speak to the media after the game. Former Fratton Park team-mate Deon Burton spoke briefly and apologised to the fans for failing to see off the inferior opposition at the first available opportunity. "Obviously there's a lot of long faces in the dressing room", said the Jamaican international, "but hopefully we can get the right result at Griffin Park. I can only say sorry to the 3,200 fans who travelled down and gave supreme vocal support all game long - the rustling of the prawn sandwiches in the home end was almost un-noticeable from the pitch."

The two teams will meet again on March 1st.