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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here