Pompey did what so many doubted they could - and made it two straught home wins, and two clean sheets to boot, inside four days as Blackpool were beaten 2-0 at Fratton.

Once again it was a goal in each half that did it, and as against Accrington the Blues left it until injury time to wrap up the points with the second goal.

Gareth Evans put Pompey ahead just before the half-hour as the defence proved its prowess at the other end of the pitch once again, and Eoin Doyle got his Blues account up and running in stoppage time for No2.

Carlisle beat Doncaster so the gap between the top three and Pompey remains four points with Plymouth, Exeter, Wycombe and Mansfield all dropped points to give Paul Cooik's men a much stronger position in the top pack.

The Blues now head to Barnet - aware that was one of the venues where they slipped up at this stage last year - on Saturday in good heart and still boasting the division's best defensive record.

With an unchanged starting line-up Pompey were on the front foot from the first whistle and Gary Roberts and Eoin Doyle both went close before Evans opened the scoring, blasting home Enda Stevens' ball across from the left after Amine Linganzi missed a chance to connect.

Roberts and striker Doyle might each have added to the tally before the interval before Blackpool started to enjoy more of the play, creating one or two chances of their own.

Stevens produced one brilliant block to deny Brad Potts what looked a certain equaliser before Pompey went back on the attack to try to make the game safe.

In the final minute of time added on, Michael Doyle and sub Carl Baker combined with the other Doyle, who went on to score his first Blues goal and lift the tension.

Six points from six then- though third place remains four away, with Pompey having a game in hand over the side who occupy it, Carlisle.

Pompey: Forde; Evans (Naismith 75), Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Linganzi, M.Doyle; Lowe (Baker 68), Roberts, Bennett (Whatmough 83); E.Doyle. Subs not used: O’Brien, Rose, Chaplin, Hunt

Referee: Darren Deadman

Attendance: 15,132 (216 away fans)

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