Joe Sheehan reacts to Ipswich Town Women loss to Portsmouth

Town, who sit fifth in the league, are now 14 points adrift off the top of the table.

An early Pompey goal from long-range was enough to see them over the line, despite Town having more possession and playing good football.

Manager Sheehan said: "I think the game went as expected.

"We knew what we were going to come up against, and we were dealt a blow really early with their goal within 90 seconds.

Town Women lost 1-0 to Portsmouth at the AGL Arena this afternoon (Image: Ross Halls)

"From then, we were the only team in the game, trying to make things happen and constantly trying to win the ball.

"Fair play to Portsmouth, they manufactured the second half to suit them and they were able to halt us when we were in our flow.

Ipswich Town Women 0-1 Portsmouth Women: Match report

"Our intent, our conviction to try and get back into it I can't fault, just we didn't quite have the end product to test the goal enough."

When asked about Town's promotion hopes, Sheehan said: "I don't know where we are at, or how many points off we are.

Kyra Robertson battling for the ball (Image: Ross Halls)

"We will just keep going and try really hard to pick up as many points as we can and we will see where it leaves us."

Town were without right-back Maisy Barker, who picked up an injury in the League Cup last week.

Sheehan added: "She's not in a great place.

"She will be out for a while.

"We face a lot of physical teams, but we have done really well competing with them physically over the last two games.

Ruby Doe battling for the ball (Image: Ross Halls)

"We deserved a little bit more than we have got."

Town travel to Cheltenham Town next week, where they will be hoping to bounce back from this defeat.

"There's lots for us to take into that game, lots of positives.

"We have to be better in the final fourth and be more clinical.

"Be a bit more focused with our detail, and that will get us the chances that we couldn't quite get today."