Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 2: Late penalty is real puzzle for boss Strachan

Boro were two up at the break through Matthew Bates's strike and Barry Robson's penalty but Pompey – who had not taken a point away from home this term before kick-off – pulled one back through David Nugent's header then levelled with a late penalty by Liam Lawrence.

The spot-kick came as Boro cleared after a corner and Aaron Mokoena was left on the ground.

After consulting with an assistant, referee Rob Shoebridge dismissed Robson but Strachan insists the video evidence proved inconclusive.

Strachan said: "I didn't see it. I don't think anyone saw it.

"I've seen the incident again on a grainy film from behind the goal but it was inconclusive.

"But the referee or the linesman saw it and so they gave it and I am not going to complain about it.

"I was very disappointed and it feels like a defeat because we were two goals up."