Donohue: Portsmouth FA Cup shock gave me career high

Dion Donohue was handed his first Pompey outing since October. Picture: Joe PeplerDion Donohue was handed his first Pompey outing since October. Picture: Joe Pepler
Dion Donohue was handed his first Pompey outing since October. Picture: Joe Pepler
An FA Cup upset inflicted by Pompey '“ and one of the greatest moments of Dion Donohue's career.

The versatile player's first-team comeback following two-and-a-half months sidelined during an injury-ravaged season produced a memorable outcome.

Andre Green's stoppage-time goal knocked Championship high-fliers Norwich out of the competition on Saturday evening.

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The architect of that decisive moment was Donohue, named ahead of Brandon Haunstrup at left-back.

Sporting a black head bandage following three stitches in an eye wound, the 25-year-old's wonderful pass carved out Green's winner.

Joy for the Blues and their 2,493 travelling support.

And delight for a player making only his fifth appearance of a frustrating personal campaign.

Donohue said: '˜That is definitely up there with the best moments of my career, especially to get the assist in the FA Cup in the 95th minute.

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'˜Norwich have quality all over the pitch, they are at the top of the Championship so we knew it was going to be tough, but I think we more than gave a good account of ourselves.

'˜It was a good chance to see where we are at because, obviously, we're looking to get into the Championship next year.

'˜It was tough, that was my first game since Burton some 10 weeks ago and I was certainly feeling the pace after 75 minutes.

'˜Clarkie was playing next to me and I told him 'Listen, I've haven't got much more to give here so make sure you are behind me!'.

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'˜Then I saw Andre running through the middle and didn't have the legs to keep going with it, so I thought I'd give a pass a go and luckily it went right to his foot.

'˜Obviously he still had a bit of work to do. He got lucky and sometimes that is the bit of luck you need.

'˜I'm made up with the win.'

Victory means Pompey head into the fourth round for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign, when they lost to Bournemouth.

Although Donohue admitted perhaps a Carrow Road draw would have been a fair outcome.

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He added: '˜Norwich had a lot more of the ball than we did, especially in some stages where they had 15-20 minutes constantly with it.

'˜There was the resilience we've shown and obviously we had a few chances ourselves, a few good chances.

'˜I would have said a draw would have been a fair result '“ but I'm not going to moan about a last-minute winner!'