Match ends, Stevenage 1, Portsmouth 0.
StevenageStevenage1PortsmouthPortsmouth0
Stevenage strengthened their position in the League Two play-off places with victory over managerless Portsmouth.
Tom Pett's blistering shot from the edge of the box put the home side ahead after just three minutes.
Bira Dembele almost doubled Stevenage's lead before half-time but he struck his shot over from Simon Walton's corner.
Craig Westcarr thought he had equalised for Pompey midway through the second-half but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Graham Westley's side now sit six points above eighth-placed Luton with three games remaining, while the defeat was the first for Portsmouth, who remain 12th, following the resignation of Andy Awford on Tuesday.
Portsmouth caretaker boss Gary Waddock:
"As well as we've played, especially second half, goals win games and we've conceded an early goal again. I can't fault the players, their effort, their commitment and the way they've gone about it. We've not had that luck in front of goal, but if the lads continue in the remaining fixtures to perform like that, that's all I'm asking.
"We dominated the game. These are a very good team. They're very strong here, they're getting into the playoff positions, and we've come away with a very good performance, but no points.
"As much as you want to have chances towards the end, we didn't change the way we approached the second half because it works for us. I'm a great believer in if you think one way's the right way to do it. I don't want to change it all of a sudden in the last few minutes - even though everybody wants us to throw it into the box."
Stevenage boss Graham Westley:
"I thought our lads, with the lead, we were dogged, were resilient, were determined.
"We scored the goal from a set piece that won the game and we were able to grind the three points out.
"Our intention was to get out and get after the game and I think we did that.
"We could have easily got a couple of goals late on to make the game more comfortable."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Day
- 6Bond
- 19WellsBooked at 79mins
- 3Dembele
- 23Okimo
- 32ConlonSubstituted forKeaneat 57'minutes
- 18Parrett
- 8WaltonBooked at 43minsSubstituted forLeeat 57'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 11Pett
- 20BeardsleySubstituted forAndradeat 81'minutes
- 7Whelpdale
Substitutes
- 1Beasant
- 4Worley
- 22Lee
- 25Henry
- 36Andrade
- 37Keane
- 43Akinyemi
Portsmouth
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Jones
- 2Webster
- 5DeveraBooked at 44mins
- 24Nosworthy
- 17Shorey
- 34ButlerBooked at 81mins
- 25AtanganaSubstituted forFogdenat 81'minutes
- 21Dunne
- 29Hollands
- 14TubbsSubstituted forMcCallumat 70'minutes
- 9TaylorSubstituted forWestcarrat 27'minutes
Substitutes
- 13Ertl
- 15McCallum
- 19Fogden
- 20Westcarr
- 22Poke
- 33Close
- 36Chaplin
- Referee:
- Chris Sarginson
- Attendance:
- 3,615
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamPortsmouth
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home11
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 1, Portsmouth 0.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Adam Webster.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nyron Nosworthy (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Corner, Portsmouth. Conceded by Bira Dembélé.
Post update
Dean Parrett (Stevenage) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Danny Hollands (Portsmouth).
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Bruno Andrade replaces Chris Beardsley.
Substitution
Substitution, Portsmouth. Wes Fogden replaces Nigel Atangana.
Booking
Dan Butler (Portsmouth) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
(Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Dan Butler (Portsmouth).
Booking
Dean Wells (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Dean Wells (Stevenage).
Post update
Craig Westcarr (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nigel Atangana (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
Post update
Foul by Chris Beardsley (Stevenage).
Post update
James Dunne (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Dean Parrett (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Danny Hollands (Portsmouth).
