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Pompey ensure chips are down for Cod Army

They might have failed to keep a clean sheet but that's about the only negative you can find about a fine performance and a 2-1 win at Fleetwood.

A goal in each half by Jamal Lowe and Oli Hawkins put Pompey two up before a late Fleetwood fightback gave them a scare.

It was just what Kenny Jackett needed, and ordered, after back to back defeats to Blackburn and Southend and left the Blues ninth in the table and only two points off the top six, although they have played more games than many of the other sides in the top half.

With Matt Kennedy, Adam May and Oli Hawkins all back in the starting line-up, Matt Clarke was made captain.

In a fairly featureless first half it was the Blues who struck the crucial blow, Lowe finishing well after a good build-up down the right ended in Ben Close having a shot blocked.

Pompey had the better of the chances after that but one goal is rarely enough for them and the travelling fans were relieved when Lowe turned provider with a 75th-minute cross that eventually fell to Hawkins to convert.

Conor McAleny ensured Pompey were to suffer their traditional nervy ending when he fired past a helpless Luke McGee with nine minutes left.

There were no real scares for the Blues after that and in fact Hawkins almost restored the two-goal lead. As it was it finished 2-1 and Pompey were able to celebrate their third league double of the campaign.

Pompey: McGee; Walkes, Burgess, Clarke, Donohue; Lowe, May, Close, Kennedy; Chaplin (Ronan 78), Hawkins. Subs not used: Bass, Whatmough, Haunstrup, Deslandes, Widdrington, Smith.

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 2,561 (470 Pompey fans)

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