Under-fire keeper Brian Murphy has won backing from Fratton goalkeeping legend Alan Knight.

The current No1 kicked a clearance to a Wycombe player on Saturday, leading to the Chariboys' opening goal.

But in his column in The News, Knight said it was not a glaring goalie error.

He said: 'His duffed clearance which handed the Chairboys the opening goal in the 2-2 draw on Saturday was not a massive goalkeeping rick. A lot of people have asked whether he should have come off his line in the first place.

'I think he is positive in making the decision to come and kick the clearance but the mistake he has made is trying to smash it too hard. The problem is he found himself out of position. When that happens you are hoping your team-mates can get you out of trouble.

'It was not like Brian kicked it straight to a player who then fired it straight back into the net. It was laid off to another guy first but the shot could not be stopped. It was an error and it certainly cost us a goal — I understand and get that.

'But I don’t see it as a real goalkeeping blunder. like a handling mistake or the ball going through your legs. The flip side to that is that Brian makes a crucial stop at 2-0 down to stop it going 3-0. Not long after that we go up and get a goal just before half-time.

'That goes a little bit unnoticed but, as I say, that’s a goalkeeper’s lot. Brian’s confidence will be under the microscope because he has got a little bit of flack and a few people are pointing fingers after recent mistakes against Macclesfield and Notts County. But now he has to stand up to the plate and take it on the chin.'

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Photo: Action Images via Reuters