Pompey are on a roll - on their way, if you like. An impressive performance earned a 2-1 win over previous leaders Wigan and gave Paul Cook and Gary Roberts a losing return to Fratton Park.

The Blues were at their best for much of the game and ploughed into a 2-0 lead thanks to Brett Pitman's penalty - after a foul on Ben Close - and Jamal Lowe's turn and shot that rounded off a lovely passing move.

Pompey started on the front foot and sent a couple of dangerous balls into the Wigan box before Cook's team seemed to settle and increase their share of the possession.

The home fans were being irritated by some of the referee's decisions, as Wigan players were given free kicks for going to ground rather easily.

Both sides were creating openings although when Wigan were denied an ambitious penalty claim, ref Tim Robinson had to tick off Cook for his touchline protests.

Soon, a penalty was given - and at the right end as far as Pompey were concerned. A precise pass by Anton Walkes found Close on the edge of the box and as neat footwork saw him work his way into the area, Dan Burn caught him and the ref pointed to the spot. Pitman sent Christian Walton the wrong way to raise the roofs off Fratton.

Pitman might have made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later when he chased a long ball and forced Walton into a point-blank stop.

Ten minutes into the second half the already intense atmosphere moved up a few more notches when Lowe turned and fired home from Nathan Thompson's cross that followed a flowing passing move by the in-form home side.

Will Grigg came on for Wigan and Nick Powell forced Luke McGee into a superb save from close in. The keeper surpassed even that with a brilliant reflex save to keep out Grigg's goalbound shot.

But, with Roberts now on for Wigan, the Blues stopper could do nothing to keep out Grigg's header from a Roberts cross that made it 2-1.

It could have been a nervy ending after that - especially with a generous five minutes added on - but in truth Wigan could not get close again, even when Walton went up for a corner and ended up being booked for a crude challenge on his opposite number.

Pompey have six games left - and the final two play-off spots will be within their grasp if they carry on playing like this.

Pompey: McGee; Thompson, Whatmough, Clarke, Haunstrup; Walkes; Lowe, Evans, Close, Naismith; Pitman. Subs not used: Bass, Burgess, O’Keefe, Ronan, Kennedy, Chaplin, Hawkins.

Referee: Tim Robinson

Attendance: 17,842 (461 away fans)

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