‘We controlled the game well - and deserved something.’ Forest Green boss on Portsmouth reverse

Burchnall felt his team controlled large parts of the 1-0 reverse at New Lawn against Danny Cowley’s men.

His side came away empty handed, however, to make it one league win in six and stay in the League One drop zone.

Burchnall was frustrated to see his side concede from a free-kick after identifying set-pieces as an area of threat from Pompey.

And he acknowledged the visitors had clear chances as the home side chased the game in its final stages.

But, in general, he felt Forest Green exercised control on proceedings and deserved a point.

Burchnall told Forest Green’s website: ‘It was a set play and we knew they would be strong from set plays.

‘They added (Joe) Pigott in today and they have some good physicality in there.

‘I thought other than that they had a couple of chances towards the end when we threw three forwards on and they countered.

‘We controlled the game really well and were good in possession.

‘In the back part of the first half and majority of the second half I thought we did a lot of good things.

‘We had a lot more intensity and purpose.

‘When they threw Dane Scarlett on I thought they stretched the game more and had a small period, but I thought we deserved something out of the game.’

Burchnall was the first to acknowledge it’s been far from plain sailing for Forest Green at home this term, losing six of their eight league fixtures at New Lawn.

But he felt the clash with Pompey followed a different pattern to many of his side’s fixtures on their turf this season.

Burchnall added: ‘We’ve had some poor performances here and acknowledged that.

‘The crowd have been frustrated and rightly so, but I thought you could tell from the way the crowd reacted before the game and after the game that it was a strong performance from us, because they were behind us all the way.

‘They pushed us and I think they saw the same signs of improvement that I saw. I was very happy with a lot of the performances.’