Argyle 1 Portsmouth 2: Match report

SHOTS from a combined 24 yards were enough for Portsmouth to record victory over Argyle - but the promotion favourites had to survive a late Pilgrims fightback to record their win.

Matt Tubbs scored from the penalty spot right on half time, and late in the second half Gary Roberts also slotted home a spot kick to give Pompey a two-goal cushion, but a late cracker by Gregg Wylde briefly stirred hopes of a fightback.

It was not to be, and in truth parity would have been harsh on an impressive Portsmouth side who gave plenty of indications of why the bookmakers will give you stingy odds on them being a League 1 side this time next year.

Both sides had the luxury of fielding sides resembling their first choice line-up. After making seven changes for their midweek win over Derby in the Capital One Cup, Portsmouth reverted to the exact 18 that beat Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday, while Argyle's only alteration was the inclusion of Craig Tanner for Jake Jervis, a change that was made approximately 11 minutes into the Pilgrims' Tuesday night defeat against Gillingham.

Portsmouth caused a scare for Argyle inside a minute, when Hiram Boateng has his pocket picked and Pompey broke. After a crucial interjection by Peter Hartley the ball fell to Gareth Evans, who first drew a decent save out of Luke McCormick, then a block inside the six yard area by Curtis Nelson.

The early exchanges were fairly even, and lively, with both sides looking to attack, although Portsmouth had the only other notable chance of the first twenty minutes, when Kyle Bennett found space and his shot was tipped over by a backpedalling McCormick.

Portsmouth, backed by a vociferous following of over 1,500 supporters, began to take a foothold on the game. While no clear cut chances emerged, the general pattern of play saw blue shirts going forward, green-and-white ones retreating. Argyle, though, had a moment of excitement when Boateng sweetly caught a dropping ball on the volley in the area, but it went over the bar. Quirkily, had Boateng been about ten yards further out, it may have had a better chance of going in.

Around the half hour mark, Argyle began to get in the game a little. Two corners by Graham Carey and a floated Gregg Wilde cross highlighted distinct insecurity and fallibility in the Pompey defence, before Carey's dipping volley was superbly tipped over the bar by Brian Murphy. Tanner and Reid then had a nifty interchange inside the area that the visitors halted by luck rather than judgement.

As the half wore to a close, a free-kick by Roberts caused a little consternation, and after a half-clearance, Nigel Atangana's low drive was well held by McCormick.

In first-half injury time, Portsmouth took the lead from the penalty spot, although there was more than a little suspicion that the award was, if not soft, at least al dente. Boateng's clearance was charged down and fell to Enda Stevens, who went down under a little pressure from Boateng. Referee Steve Martin gave the spot-kick with gusto, and Tubbs stroked home from 12 yards.

Going into the break a goal down suddenly seemed harsh, given Argyle's return to prominence as the half wore on. A judge may well have awarded the half to the visitors on points, but at the time of the goal they were not on top.