Wow! Pompey didn't just make it two away wins in five days - they hammered Colchester on their own patch to move four points clear in third place.

Eoin Doyle set them on their way midway through the first half and further strikes from Kyle Bennett, Danny Rose and Michael Doyle after the break made it a superb six-point week for Paul Cook's team.

With Carlisle, Luton and Exeter all slipping up it was a very good day for the Blues - even if the sides above them, Doncaster and Plymouth, both won.

Not surprisingly, Cook named an unchanged team and although Colchester started brightly, they didn't cause David Forde any serious worries and gradually the Blues (playing in black) got into their stride.

Eoin Doyle, Kal Naismith and Enda Stevens all chanced their arm before Doyle headed in Naismith's cross after the winger's corner had been cleared back to him.

The striker was closest to scoring the game's secons goal but Pompey were comfortable and content enough to be one up at the break.

A minute into the second half Bennett doubled the lead - just as he had at Crawley in midweek. Naismith was again the provider, getting away down the flank before teeing up Bennett.

Brennan Dickenson caused Pompey one or two nervous moments but just after the hour it felt like game over as Rose added the third when he was put through on keeper Sam Walker and beat him at the second attempt.

Three became four when Michael Doyle profited from another Naismith assist and the 2,000-plus Pompey fans present were wondering how many more their team could score.

With the points in the bag, subs Conor Chaplin, Gary Roberts and Noel Hunt all came on - and Colchester had absolutely nothing to offer their fans in the way of even a consolation.

The win leaves Pompey four points clear of fourth-placed Stevenage - who they visit next Saturday, after hosting Grimsby on Tuesday.

At the moment their last Fratton outing, that woeful loss to Crewe, feels a very long time ago.

Pompey: Forde; Evans, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Rose, M.Doyle; Baker, Naismith (Hunt 74), Bennett (Roberts 77); E.Doyle (Chaplin 84). Subs not used: O’Brien, T.Davies, Linganzi, Lowe

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 6,504 (2,244 Pompey fans)

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