Pompey got their second maximium in 5 days with victory over Bristol, this was not the demolition of Leicester again, but a more ground out result, the sort we will need more of if we are to climb the table. Goals from the unlikely sources of Mullins and Mokoena and a seasons first from Utaka saw us home, along with the best performance from Ashdown so far.

Pompey were unsurprisingly unchanged from the team that beat Leicester, Cotterill has been looking for his best side and seems to have settled for this one, not bad in my opinion.

Pompey tried to force the pace from the off, but Bristol were not here to roll over, David James was as commanding as ever in his 18 yard box and he was to do us no favours, despite his superb reception.

David Nugent had the first real sniff of goal, a defenders slip seemed to let him in, but his footwear also let him down, with the only James in the way, he slipped and the chance was gone.

James was to make his first proper save from the same player, Nugent smashed in a shot that he could only parry, Kitson followed up but could only half-volley into the ground and off target.

Ashdown was to better this save however, Jon Stead curled towards goal, it looked for all accounts a dead cert, but out came an arm and tipped it round the post, it wasa save of rwal quality.

The second half was to see thereal action however, the revitalised Utaka cut in from the left once more and absolutely hammered a shot past the stricken James, big John was going some way to earning a bit of credibility back from the faithful. The lead was to last only a couple of minutes, this time Utaka and Mokoena couldn't win the ball in our area, Stead was the gleeful recipitent of a pass from 6 yards out and he didn't miss. This gave Bristol a lift and the chance to really push, Skuse and Stead were both denied once more by Pompey's number 1.

Mokoena was the first of Pompey's surprise scorers to pounce first, a Lawrence corner was met with a bullet header into the top cornerand we had 3 goals in 7 minutes.

Kitson almost added another, but as he weaved through James made the block.

Bristol were pressing hard now and should of levelled when Danny Haynes headed over with the goal at this mercy, Pompey's fortunes really have changed. Pompey were forcing pressure onto themselves however, the defence was playing far too deep and allowing Bristol room to attack, Rocha was standing strong again though and was well backed up by his troops.

Kanu was on as supersub once more, he really is a class act to bring on with 20 minutes to go, as Pompey cleared another attack, he controlled, waited, then delivered the perfect ball for Mullins of all people to slot home to clinch the win.

2 wins in a week, out the bottom 3 and life looks rosier by far.

Star Player
I was going to go with Mullins before he scored, he had a proper midfielders match, on reflection however I reckon the sponsors got it right with Ashdown, some of his saves were in the Jamo class, he also seemed inspired by his rivals presence with his speeded up distribution.