Hayden Carter said Pompey's Fratton Park win over Oxford served two purposes - it enabled to put their cruel Kassam Stadium defeat behind them and put pressure on the sides ahead of them in the late season chase for a play-off spot.

Carter was one of the goalscorers - putting Pompey 3-1 up with a stunning strike from 25 yards in the second half after Sean Raggett and George Hirst had struck late in the first half to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Oxford got a late second but Pompey held on reasonably comfortably for the points and Carter told the club website: 'First and foremost, it was a brilliant way to put right the result at the Kassam Stadium a few weeks ago.

'I think we showed the togetherness that’s in our squad, first after falling behind early on and then to hold on towards the end. But it was really enjoyable and hopefully there are more games like that to come and we’ve still got 13 left to play.

'We want to pick up as many points as we possibly can and keep putting pressure on the teams above us.'

Carter talked us through his wonderful goal: 'The ball just came out and there was nobody around me, so I thought I’d take a couple of touches and try my luck. Thankfully it went in — I knew straight away. I think I was over by the corner flag by the time it hit the net!

'I don’t think I’ll score too many goals like that in my career, so I was certainly going to enjoy that one.'

Pompey host Accrington on Saturday and visit Crewe next Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

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