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Crawley 0 Pompey 2: Blues get where they want to be - now the hard bit

That was significantly more like it, Pompey.

From the depths of a woeful 1-0 loss at home to Crewe on Saturday to the heights of a fine and fully-deserved 2-0 win at Crawley on Tuesday night. That's the ups and downs of being a Blues fan, all inside the space of four days.

The significant factor from this victory is that it takes Pompey into the top three - the spot where they have been striving to be for months without ever being quite consistent enough to get there.

Ironically they have finally broken into the automatic promotion spots at a time when they are still not consistent - having taken only four points from nine in the past eight days.

Now the big test will - once again - be to see whether Pompey can stay in that top three. It's actually still not in their own hadns - Luton trail the Blues by just two points and have 12 to play, while Paul Cook's team and the rest of the promotion hunters have 11. But what a big step in the right direction this victory at the Broadfield Stadium could be.

With Danny Rose coming in for Amine Linganzi and Carl Baker starting in place of Gary Roberts, Pompey were the better side in the first half without causing Crawley too many problems.

Rose tried his luck on two occasions and Eoin Doyle forced Reds keeper Glenn Morris into a good save when he went through one on one.

Crawley ended the first half on the front foot but that was as good as it got for Dermot Drummy's team.

Pompey's 2,000-plus fans were wondering if it was going to be another of those games when Eoin Doyle's 53rd minute penalty - awarded for an illegal challenge on Enda Stevens - was saved by Morris.

But from the resultant corner by Kal Naismith was headed in by Burgess to the delight of the travelling fans.

Naismith then went close a couple of times himself before sub Noel Hunt set up Kyle Bennett for a run and shot that with the help of a deflection beat Morris to make it 2-0.

There was no looking back for Pompey after that apart perhaps from a James Collins header that was not too far off target.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Forde; Evans, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens (Hunt 64); Rose, M.Doyle (c); Baker, Naismith, Bennett (T.Davies 90); E.Doyle. Subs not used: O’Brien, Aborah, Lowe, Roberts, Chaplin

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 5,350 (2,300 Pompey fans)

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