Barnsley crash out of FA Cup with fourth round loss at Portsmouth

It was another bad day for the club, who have now lost three games in a row after a big upturn in form.

The fact they can now concentrate on the league can be dressed up as a positive, but there was nothing positive about the manner of their performance against a League One side – albeit one playing with confidence and vigour.

They were put to the sword at Fratton Park as Ben Close, John Marquis, Ronan Curtis and Christian Burgess sent Pompey into the fifth round for the first time since reaching the final in 2010.

Cauley Woodrow and Conor Chaplin scored for the Reds but boss Gerhard Struber found little to get enthused about.

Struber said: “I am unhappy and disappointed for our performance.

“The spirit and energy from the opponent showed us what you need to do in an FA Cup game.

“Our spirit and our energy, on the ball and off the ball was not enough to win.

“I'm unhappy with many situations when we are in the position, we always need too long time to come in the right position.

“We need to come quicker in the right position where we have more space and more time.

“We lose so simple balls in both halves and this was not like a Championship team and we have to speak about this game with the boys.”