United were beaten but there was still optimism even in defeat as FA Cup holders Portsmouth won 2-1 tonight in the final pre-season game of the summer. First half goals from Diop and Defoe  put Pompey clear but a last gasp goal from Alex Fisher was fine reward for another good United display.

Against such a star studded side United were far from over-awed and played very well throughout , with Haldane almost in on goal inside four minutes, but then exactly what United didn't want to happen did happen as Jamie Guy burst past two defenders in great style but pulled up immediately with a hamstring problem. The U's will monitor the situation closely but Guy would be a big miss in the opener at Barrow on Friday if ruled out.

Guy's departure meant a chance for Michael Husbands up front with James Constable, and the trialist did well, looking sprightly and fast alongside the tireless Constable.

At the other end Pompey's new strike force of Defoe and Crouch linked well on fourteen minutes only for Crouch to scuff horribly wide from fifteen yards but when the roles were reversed on twenty Defoe made young Ben Hinchliffe work for the first time with a smart save down to his right.

In between those chances Yemi Odubade had whistled a shot only just wide of David James's goal and soon after that Martin Crainie had to clear off the line to prevent an own goal as James rushed out to block Constable's run and the ball cannoned off of Sylvain Distin towards goal. United were far from outclassed, but slowly Portsmouth started to apply the pressure.

Hinchliffe made another good save on 22 to deny Crouch once more, then bettered even that with a save at the feet of Diop but the tide was running against The U's and on 31 minutes they were behind as Djimi Traore crossed from the left and Diop gambled on getting across the goal to sidefoot home at the near post.

United continued to press and try and force a way through but they found the going hard and on the stroke of half time were 2-0 down to a goal of great quality. Lassana Diarra ghosted through midfield, picked the right moment then released Defoe inside the box to finish with style and make it 2-0.

Nine changes at half time meant only the names changed not the commitment or effort, and to see youngsters like Richard Groves and Sam Deering playing against international stars was a pleasure to watch. Husbands had two early efforts in the second half, the second well saved by James, and with Rob Davies in particular catching the eye in a wide role United continued to impress.

A Krancar effort that flew wide on 76 was as close as Jake Cole got to a save in the first thirty minutes of the second half, showing perhaps that Chris Willmott is fully back, but why isolate Willmott when Luke Foster, Barry Quinn and Matty Day also had good games; United's strikers have had the plaudits but their defence is still in excellent shape. When Diop did get through on 82 Cole was equal to it and United then scored the goal their hard work had deserved. Groves curled in a  great ball and Fisher, who hadn't stopped running all night, was there to sidefoot home from six yards past the England keeper. Marvellous.

The talking stops now and the season starts for real. It's been a good pre-season and there is genuine hope. See you next week for the visit of Weymouth.

Att: 4,956

Away: 637

United

Hinchliffe (Cole h/t), Clarke (Reid h/t), Foster (Day h/t), Quinn (Willmott h/t), Carruthers (Jeannin h/t), Odubade Deering h/t), Davies (Sampson 68), Burnell (Hutchinson h/t), Haldane (Groves h/t), Constable (Fisher h/t), Guy (Husbands 6, Taylor 76)

Portsmouth

James, Lauren (Christophe h/t), Crainie, Distin, Traore, Diop, Mendes, Diarra (Rodriguez 69), Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe