By Martin Rowe
Portsmouth secured a crucial win after disposing of Coventry City.
The League One fixture saw the league’s bottom club face an in-form and high flying City side.
The visitors had the early exchanges of the match and earned a penalty when Shaun Cooper fouled Cody McDonald inside the box.
But Gary McSheffrey was unable to convert as he saw his spot kick saved by Simon Eastwood.
Jed Wallace started for Pompey and it didn’t take him long to get his teeth into things as Shaun Cooper, redeeming himself for his earlier mistake was involved in a passing move with Wallace which ended with him flighting the ball deliciously into the top corner of the net.
Coventry weren’t giving up with McSheffrey and John Fleck both going close.
Then Aron Martin, on loan from South Coast Rivals Southampton, had a well-drilled strike saved by Eastwood once again.
But then Pompey doubled their lead when a cross by Liam Walker was headed in by Patrick Agyemang with 14 minutes remaining.
Pompey survived a few late scares and held onto the three points.
The win lifts them into 22nd place , but still five points adrift of safety.