Plymouth 1 Pompey 2: Penalties punish Pilgrims
Saturday, 15th Aug 2015 18:21 by pompey-fans.com staff

Paul Cook's Pompey have yet to taste defeat - or even a draw - after chalking up their third win from three.

A penalty in each half by Matt Tubbs and Gary Roberts put the Blues two up before Argyle made them sweat with what proved no more than a late consolation.

The fully-deserved win leaves Cook's troops third and in good spirits ahead of Tuesday's visit to Crawley.

It was back to the 'league line-up' as the seven players who had come into the side for the League Cup win over Derby all dropped to the bench.

Pompey carried on where they had left off in previous games with a confident display and plenty of possession.

Gareth Evans and Kyle Bennett were both denied early on before Plymouth gradually started to see more of the ball, although without causing Brian Murphy too much trouble.

The Blues took the lead to the delight of their 1,700-strong travelling army just before the interval. Hiram Boateng mistimed a challenge on Enda Stevens and Tubbs sent the penalty down the middle.

Pompey looked the most likely side to score next in the second half as they enjoyed the better of the exchanges.

Tubbs might have doubled his tally before being replaced by Jayden Stockley, but a second goal did arrive on 86 minutes as Roberts got into the box and was fouled by Gary Sawyer. Roberts took the kick himself and beat Luke McCormick.

It's never totally straightforward with Pompey, of course, and Gregg Wylde pulled it back to 2-1 a minute later - and there was even time for a vain Plymouth penalty appeal as the Blues held out for their second League Two victory in two games.

Next comes a trip to Crawley on Tuesday, before Morecambe visit Fratton next Saturday.

Pompey: Murphy; Davies, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Atangana (Hollands 71), Doyle (c); Evans, Roberts (McGurk 90), Bennett; Tubbs (Stockley 69). Subs not used: Jones, Webster, Haunstrup, Chaplin.

Referee: Steve Martin

Attendance: 11, 476 (1,719 Pompey fans)