PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho thinks his side might have actually benefited had Middlesbrough scored an earlier second half equaliser on Saturday.

Despite conceding a last minute leveller at the Riverside when Tommy Conway struck from the penalty spot, Mousinho headed back south delighted with a point having admitted Boro deserved to win the game.

Portsmouth twice got themselves in front - with a helping hand from Boro - thanks to a first half double from Christian Saydee but spent the second period sitting deep and defending their lead.

That's not how Mousinho likes his side to set-up and he believes that had Boro managed to draw level earlier in the second half, the visitors would have been forced to engage once more and would have "played better".

Despite that claim, Mousinho praised his players for digging deep and extending their unbeaten start to the season to three games, with Pompey having now picked up draws against Leeds, Luton and Boro, who were all fancied to be in the promotion mix this term before a ball was kicked.

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"We probably tipped over a certain point in the second half and as it got closer to full-time, I thought we might hold on in there," said Pompey's boss.

"But ultimately we probably conceded a few too many opportunities and on balance Middlesbrough deserved to win the game. To come away with a point is a really positive result.

"They didn't punish us with the chances they created. It's a really interesting one because if the game does go to 2-2 a bit earlier in the second half I think we change our mentality and play better than we did.

"But we sat in and sat in and sat in and got away with a few bits. Will (Norris, Portsmouth's keeper) dug us out of a couple of holes and there was some last ditch defending, but I do think the mentality would have changed if we had conceded earlier.

"It did straight away as soon as it went to 2-2.

"It's difficult to come to places like this so credit to the lads for coming away with a point. We invited a bit too much pressure and sat deep and allowed Middlesbrough to play centrally.

"I look back at the goal and there's a run off one of our players and we give the penalty away. There's plenty to improve on but there was plenty of good play from Middlesbrough."