John Marquis has no doubts about his ability in front of goal - and is hoping his winner against Lincoln can prove the start of a run of goals.

He has struggled for goals since his move from Doncaster although most are impressed by his work-rate and feel a lack of service has much to do with the fact he is not scoring for fun.

He leads the line at Bristol Rovers this weekend with plenty of belief he can score the goals that can help bring about an upturn in Pompey's fortunes.

Marquis, on three goals for the season so far, told the club website he enjoyed getting the only goal against the Imps: 'It was a good feeling because it had been a few games since I’d last scored, although I haven’t had as many chances as I would have liked.

'I’m a goalscorer and my record in the past few years proves that. I know I’ll take the opportunities more regularly when they come along. It’s just a case of keep on making those runs and getting into the right areas, and eventually the ball will fall to me.'

Marquis said the players were all too aware they needed to sharpen up and be consistent. He added: 'We’ve picked up results, but our performance levels haven’t quite reached the heights we’re capable of.

'Everyone knows that, with the players we have at the club, we should be playing better than we have been. It is still early days in the season, although that’s not an excuse because I did think we’d have settled quicker than we have.

'There have been different combinations and formations tried and hopefully we can now go on a bit of a run. I’m a positive person and we’re in a position where if we win the two games in hand, we’re around the play-off places. That’s the way I prefer to look at it.

'The boys went off like a steam train last season and weren’t able to finish it off. We haven’t started as well this time, so let’s hope we do it the other way. There’s so much more to come from us and it’s only a matter of time before we find that confidence as a squad.'

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