Yet until the 51st minute, they struggled to break down Forest Green before Owen Dale’s far-post header from Joe Rafferty’s excellent cross.
The winger should have then had a hat-trick, while the Blues failed to add to their tally, yet now find themselves three points off the play-offs – and here’s our on-the-whistle player ratings...
![Michael Jacobs fires in a shot against Forest Green. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMyNTNmMmVlLWIyOTgtNGUzOC04ZThlLTRjYTVlZTRkY2NiZTozMDQ1NGVlMC1kOTc5LTRjYmItYjExZi1jMDA1NzBlMDk1YjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Portsmouth midfielder Michael Jacobs shoots during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Portsmouth and Forest Green Rovers at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 1 April 2023.
Michael Jacobs fires in a shot against Forest Green. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages Photo: Jason Brown
![A couple of shaky moments kicking the ball, something which crept into his game in last two matches, but overall little to do apart from stoppage-time shot from Omotoye down his throat.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIxMWQ5MWNmLWE3OTUtNGQ2ZS1hMDJkLWM3Nzk1ODNlMDA4Nzo0YTU2MWJmZC0yYWIxLTQwZmQtOTI5Zi0xODYzZGI1NTI1M2E=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Matt Macey - 7
A couple of shaky moments kicking the ball, something which crept into his game in last two matches, but overall little to do apart from stoppage-time shot from Omotoye down his throat. Photo: None
![Quality delivery from Dale’s goal, which summed up another eye-catching display. Defensively sound but also a huge threat from wide with the ball at his feet. Such a good player.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI3MGYyM2JmLTAyOTgtNDRmOC1iMzA1LTlkZjY3OGE5MGMxYzo0YmE4NmIzNC02YmM4LTQzYmYtYWQ5Mi02OTU2Y2JjNDU1MmQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Joe Rafferty - 8 - MOM
Quality delivery from Dale’s goal, which summed up another eye-catching display. Defensively sound but also a huge threat from wide with the ball at his feet. Such a good player. Photo: National World
![Not required to defend much and very comfortable at the back as a result. Used the ball effectively too, vital in a match with Pompey dominating possession so much.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFkZGEzYWViLTFjNDctNGM3Ny1hNWYwLWU0Y2Q4MmU0OTU5NTo4MWNmMTZlYS00ZjZhLTQ1ZGYtYWM4OS03Yzc2MmU2Y2EyODQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Sean Raggett - 7
Not required to defend much and very comfortable at the back as a result. Used the ball effectively too, vital in a match with Pompey dominating possession so much. Photo: NationalWorld