Pompey Circumstances

...and Derek Adams has pointed out areas for improvement ahead of their post-season plans.

The draw at the Abbey Stadium left the Greens five points outside the automatic promotion places with just three to play for, meaning Argyle enter the play-offs for the second season in a row. Goals from Ben Williamson and Jimmy Spencer, cancelled out by Jamille Matt and Graham Carey, made sure of that, leaving them capable of finishing fifth or sixth in the table.

"We're finishing in the play-off positions," said Derek. "We've given it a good go today and both teams needed to win the game, and neither team did.

"It's been a very good season so far, and we've got a good number of games now to play to get us to League 1. We've got a limited squad - everybody knows that - but they've given us every single ounce that they've got."

Derek and his side are guaranteed to be squaring off against Portsmouth in the semi-final for the right to play at Wembley Stadium for a place in Sky Bet League 1. The boss is confident that the Green Army will once again bring the noise in what is arguably the biggest match this division can offer.

"[It's] going to be a very big game for both football clubs - the two best supported football clubs in the league," said Adams.

"I think both clubs have shown that they've got a very strong fanbase, and on their day they've got a strong squad. They've spent heavily this season to invest, and it's going to be a good game. It's two football clubs that have done exceptionally well this season.

"We've taken over 1,500 here today. They've followed us throughout the season and they've always had something to shout about. We've given it our best efforts."

Argyle conceded twice in three minutes against Cambridge after going ahead, making it five goals conceded in their last two fixtures. Derek will be looking especially to solidify his side's defensive displays heading into the play-offs, as two high-powered sides with plenty of attacking options prepare to do battle.

"We haven't defended well enough," said Adams. "If we defended well enough we'd be automatically up. There's no doubt about it.

"If we'd taken our chances we'd be automatically up, but that's the nature of sport and football. We can all say this and that, but that's where we are."