Goal:

1-0: Tubbs (60, left wing cross from Butler to the near post, where striker got there ahead of Jones to head in)

Bookings: Tshibola (22, foul), Harrison (67, foul), Featherstone (74, foul), Passley (90, foul)

Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedford): Far too soft with decision making, too many free-kicks for nothing 5

Attendance: 14,397

Entertainment: 3/5

PORTSMOUTH (3-5-2): Jones 5; Whatmough 6, Devera 7, Robinson 7; Passley 6, Dunne 6, Wallace 6, Hollands 6, Butler 5; Tubbs 6 (Chaplin 88), Taylor 5. Subs: Poke (gk), Webster, Barcham, Ertl, Westcarr, Atangana.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2):

5 Flinders: He’s had busier days than this one, very little to do other than one first-half stop from a free-kick;

6 Harrison: Pressed back most of the time and had plenty of first-half defending to do

7 Mirfin: A calming presence in the middle of the back four on his first game of the season

5 Jones: Steady, but will be disappointed to be beaten by Tubbs to the ball for the decisive goal;

5 Austin: Never looked at ease as a wing-back, going forward to attack isn’t his forte

5 Bates: Game ended early with a dead leg after going in for a 50-50 challenge in the opening minutes

5 Woods: Bogged down by a congested midfield area, rarely got the chance to get on the ball and use it like he has been of late

6 Tshibola: Some cool and calm footwork inside his own area in the first half, but like Woods struggled to make the same impact he has been

5 Duckworth: Should have been able to play with more freedom as a wing-back , but found it tougher than expected;

4 Morgan: Looked off the pace and a lack of game time this season showed. Never looked like getting in and beyond the home defenders

5 Fenwick: Little change from the home defenders on a tough afternoon.

Subs:

Featherstone (for Bates 12): A rare opportunity and he made the most of it in midfield 7

Harewood (for Morgan 59): Offered nothing of any note 4

Franks (for Tshibola 77)

(not used): Maxted (gk), Holden, Franks, Walker, Richards.

MAN OF THE MATCH Nicky Featherstone – been out of the picture of late, but used the ball well and was positive in the main