Report: Pompey vs Fleetwood

Pompey strengthened their position at the top of the League One table with a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood.

Winger Ronan Curtis went straight back into the Pompey team for the League One clash with Fleetwood at Fratton Park.

There was little to excite the crowd before the break, but the hosts needed just five minutes of the second half to grab the winner, keeping the Blues firmly secured in top spot.

Oli Hawkins capped a tireless performance by heading home from close range after Dion Donohue's corner had been turned towards goal by Tom Naylor.

After the match, scorer Hawkins said: “We’re very pleased with what was a hard-fought win and it’s similar to the past few games here.

“It’s been about battling to break teams down and it was another tough match, but we were able to be solid at the back and create some chances.

“Six minutes at the end felt like a long time, but they didn’t really hurt us and I thought the defence did really well.

“I was able to get the goal – which I was really happy with – and more importantly, we came out with the victory.

“It was nice to score, but I haven’t had too many lately and centre-forwards like to get ones like that when you just nod it in.

“There’s a bit of relief there and hopefully I can relax into games now and go on to get some more goals.

“I do a lot of work outside the box and so maybe I’m not there enough for those tap-ins where you’re a ‘fox in the box’.

“Hopefully I can get a few more of them, while continuing my job of contributing to the team. That would be good for me.”