Tom Naylor was delighted to play his part at both ends of the pitch as Pompey beat Tranmere 2-0 to register their first League One points of the season.

Naylor headed in the second after fellow midfielder Ben Close rifled in a spectacular opener to down Rovers.

It was the Blues' second Fratton win in a week after Birmingham were seen off in the League Cup in midweek, and helps makes the opening day loss at Shrewsbury mote of a distant memory than it might otherwise be.

Naylor told www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: 'My job is to sit in front of the back four and clean things up, but it’s nice to chip in with the odd goal now and again. Downs had a good header that was cleared off the line and it’s just fallen for me, so I hit it into the roof of the net.

'It was an unbelievable goal from Closey and I thought Andy Cannon did particularly well in midfield as well. We could have got hold of the game a bit better, but our shape was excellent and we worked hard to keep a clean sheet.

'There were lots of positives and we created plenty of chances — and we have to take more of them — so we could have won by three or four. Tranmere did well and looked a good side — I think they’ll do well this season if they keep playing like that.

'But it was all about us and the important thing was to come away with all three points in the first home league game of the season.'

Next up for Pompey is a trip to Sunderland on Saturday.

Pompey: MacGillivray; Walkes, Downing, Burgess, Brown; Cannon (Pitman 68), Naylor (c), Close; Harness, Harrison (Marquis 46), Curtis. Subs not used: Bass, Raggett, Haunstrup, McCrorie, Evans.

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 18,575 (639 away fans)

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