Pompey are fourth in League Two after making it seven points from nine with a comfortable home victory over Northampton.

They inflicted the Cobblers' first defeat of the season thanks to first-half strikes by Jed Wallace and Craig Westcarr which were no more than their dominance deserved.

They couldn't add to the tally after the break but there was never any real threat Chris Wilder's team would get back into the game.

It was the Blues' third home win in eight days - what a far cry from times last season when they couldn't buy a win in front of their own fans.

The opening goal came when Nicky Shorey stopped the ball going out for a throw to rob ex-Fratton loanee Daniel Alfei and cut the ball back for Jed Wallace who took a touch before hammering a left-footed drive into the Milton End net.

Six minutes before the break Westcarr made it two with a cool finish after taking in his stride a pass from the impressive Nigel Atangana and running on to draw the keeper.

Wallace, Ryan Taylor and Ricky Holmes all had half-chances to make it three in the second half and Miles Storey again looked useful when he came on as a sub but 2-0 it stayed.

Manager Andy Awford told The News: 'Three points is always pleasing but the manner in which we did it, I thought was very good. We played some excellent stuff at times and we were deservedly two goals up at the interval. But we were very professional in the second half and closed the game out.'

Pompey are fourth - just two points off top spot - and head on Saturday to Oxford, who have yet to pick up a point.

Pompey: Jones; Devera, Robinson, Chorley; Devera, Dunne, Atangana, Wallace, Shorey; Taylor, Westcarr. Subs: Hollands (for Holmes 71), Storey (for Westcarr 77), Butler (for Taylor 90+1).

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