Portsmouth moved to within two points of the play-off places with a third successive win as they beat struggling Walsall 1-0 to consign new boss Dean Keates to a second straight loss in charge.
The visitors controlled the first half and Ben Close should have done better than scuff a close-range volley straight at Walsall goalkeeper Liam Roberts from Gareth Evans' 12th-minute cross.
Pompey's 18-goal top scorer Brett Pitman twice glanced headers wide while Close volleyed off-target when Dion Donohue's long throw found him free inside the area.
Portsmouth continued to dominate after the break, Kal Naismith whipping a vicious effort inches wide from 20 yards and seeing another shot flash across goal and just past the post.
Walsall took until the 73rd minute to threaten as Luke Leahy's cross was met by a first-time Amadou Bakayoko volley that flew just over.
But Pompey deservedly won it six minutes later as Jamal Lowe teed-up Evans to fizz a fine strike into the bottom corner from 18 yards and condemn Walsall to a sixth defeat in their last seven.
English League One Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hull City | 23 | +20 | 45 |
2 | Lincoln City | 22 | +15 | 45 |
3 | Peterborough United | 22 | +15 | 42 |
4 | Portsmouth | 22 | +18 | 41 |
5 | Doncaster Rovers | 20 | +14 | 39 |
6 | Charlton Athletic | 24 | +5 | 37 |
7 | Sunderland | 22 | +12 | 36 |
8 | Crewe Alexandra | 24 | +5 | 36 |
9 | Ipswich Town | 21 | +3 | 35 |
10 | Accrington Stanley | 19 | +4 | 33 |
11 | Oxford United | 21 | +5 | 31 |
12 | Fleetwood Town | 23 | +7 | 30 |
13 | Gillingham | 23 | -3 | 30 |
14 | Plymouth Argyle | 23 | -8 | 30 |
15 | Milton Keynes Dons | 23 | 0 | 28 |
16 | Blackpool | 21 | -3 | 28 |
17 | Shrewsbury Town | 21 | -5 | 24 |
18 | Rochdale | 23 | -8 | 23 |
19 | Bristol Rovers | 21 | -11 | 22 |
20 | AFC Wimbledon | 23 | -15 | 22 |
21 | Northampton Town | 22 | -18 | 22 |
22 | Wigan Athletic | 22 | -14 | 21 |
23 | Swindon Town | 23 | -16 | 21 |
24 | Burton Albion | 24 | -22 | 16 |
League One News
Swindon midfielder hits incredible 30-yard screamer
Scott Twine scores with an outstanding hit from outside of the box for Swindon vs. Ipswich.
Lincoln City's comical own goal vs. Peterborough
Timothy Eyoma was the unlucky culprit in this own goal for Lincoln City vs. Peterborough United.
Accrington Stanley beat Charlton in League One
Colby Bishop shines in Accrington Stanley's 2-0 win against Charlton Athletic in English League One.
Fans share their experiences of discrimination in football
Fans in England tell Kick It Out about their experiences with being subject to, or encountering discrimination.
Marcotti breaks down the FA's post-Brexit transfer rules
Gab and Juls discuss the English FA's new points-based system to sign overseas players post-Brexit.
Football's mental health crisis: anxiety, eating disorders fears as players stay away from counselling
The PFA have identified a decline of more than 25% in members accessing the organisation's counselling services during the coronavirus pandemic.