Gareth Ainsworth says a refereeing error in the build up to Portsmouth’s third goal helped provide the killer blow during Wycombe Wanderers’ 4-2 defeat at Fratton Park.

The goal came moments after Wanderers had made it 2-2 in a frantic six minute spell at the end of the first half which produced three goals.

The Blues boss felt Pompey forward Gary Roberts handled the ball before sending Conor Chaplin through on goal just before the half-time break.

“The third goal is a real killer before half-time. How the referee (Tim Robinson) hasn’t seen a handball I am absolutely amazed,” Ainsworth said.

“I don’t often question the referees but that was obvious to many, many fans on this side of the ground. I am looking forward to seeing the replay and I thought Roberts controlled the ball with his hand.

“That’s a disappointment because at 2-2 at half-time it is a different team talk and different set up in the second half for us.”

Wycombe’s failure to maintain parity until the half-time whistle was symptomatic of a performance plagued by defensive frailty.

Sido Jombati had previously given away a penalty with a blatant handball and the second half saw Portsmouth score a simple fourth through Carl Baker.

He was left unmarked to volley home at the back post and Ainsworth was critical of the individual errors which cost Wycombe.

“We didn’t make it easy in general, it was just rubbish goals conceded. We have got to stop shipping goals like that,” Ainsworth said.

“That is eight goals in two weeks now and that is not good enough. They were errors which were fundamental and it is not like Portsmouth have carved us apart.

“We always play well here and have again today, but it is sloppy goals conceded. You can’t be having to score three and four goals away from home to be in the game.

“The fourth goal really disappoints me and is another individual mistake where we need to get a header in the box.”