Conor Chaplin celebrated his return to the starting line-up with both goals as Pompey beat Leyton Orient 2-1 to go within two points of third-placed Carlisle.
The young striker's goals came after he missed a penalty, a setback which didn't matter in the end despite a spirited effort by the London visitors.
Chaplin came into the XI in place of Kyle Bennett as Paul Cook switched to the 4-4-2 system that many fans have been calling for.
After a minute's applause for defender Paul Went - who served both clubs - and for ex-England manager Graham Taylor, Pompey flew out of the blocks and Chaplin almost got on the end of an early Kal Naismith cross and then an ambitious effort from Carl Baker almost went in.
Naismith and Michael Smith both unsettled home keeper Alex Cisak but the former Pompey stopper was keeping everything out - including a Chaplin penalty after Enda Stevens was fouled in the box.
Chaplin soon made amends for that miss, though, converting a Baker cross from close range to settle any nerves that might have been setting in among home fans.
Pompey missed three worthwhile chances to double the lead, but were then stunned as Orient's first chance of note - a long-range shot by Gavin Massey - flew past David Forde and in.
Even then, Pompey were unfortunate not to retake the lead before the break with Baker and Naismith going close.
Jamal Lowe replaced the injured Gareth Evans for the second half and it wasn't long before Chaplin had doubled his tally and Pompey's, heading in another Baker cross to lift the home crowd once more.
There were one or two scares at the back for the Blues, notably when Christian Burgess almost headed past Forde, but Pompey looked the most likely to get the next goal and Naismith was impressing, setting up a number of good openings.
Amine Linganzi came on for Naismith and the chances continued to come, with Chaplin smelling a hat-trick at one stage but being denied before going off to a standing ovation when Bennett replaced him late on.
There were no further scares at the other end and Pompey comfortably held on - before being boosted by news that Carlisle had dropped two points at home to Morecambe to leave Pompey ever closer that coveted top three spot.
Pompey: Forde; Evans (Lowe 46), Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Baker, Rose, Doyle, Naismith (Linganzi 76); Smith, Chaplin (Bennett 87). Subs not used: O’Brien, T.Davies, Roberts, Hunt
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Attendance: 16,564 (607 away fans)
| Advertisement |
|
|
Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles