NATHAN Blake earned the applause of Portsmouth players and supporters last night for the way he reacted to one of the most remarkable incidents I have ever seen on a football pitch, writes PETER WHITE.

It centred on Portsmouth keeper Aaron Flahavan, who suddenly keeled over in the second half, just a year and a couple of days since a similar incident against Swindon.

The keeper, who was stretchered off, had blacked out for no apparent reason as he dribbled the ball towards the edge of his penalty area.

Blake, about 20 yards away, dashed forward as if to put the loose ball into the net but the whistle went and the Rovers striker went straight to the keeper to assist him.

Like everyone else, he did not know what had happened but he revealed afterwards: "At first I thought he had just slipped but then I thought he might have swallowed his tongue. That's why I picked him up. "His eyes were glazed and he just said 'What?'."

The keeper was able to go home afterwards and faces more tests, though they revealed nothing last time he had a blackout in the middle of a game.

"He had similar symptoms last year and we will issue a statement from the club in the next few days," said Portsmouth boss Alan Ball.

"It's a concern until we find out exactly what it is.

"The lad is devastated because he was spot on until the incident and I thought it changed my team. We weren't the same team after he went off.

"You are not looking for excuses but when it happens to a colleague it's not the nicest thing.

"After that there was a series of incidents which were quite bizarre.

"To lose 3-0 at home looks a thrashing but we finished with people all over the place."

Rovers boss Brian Kidd said: "We just didn't know what had happened. Nathan thought he had slipped at first. I just hope the lad is okay."

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