Bradford 0-1 Portsmouth: they said what?

Gareth Evans' 12-minute strike was enough to see off the plucky Bantams, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table, and open up a three-point lead at the summit of the table.

Here's what those closest to the action had to say about another good day on the road for the Blues.

Joe Gallen

There were a few chances at the end but to come away from home and not to expect the other team not to have any opportunities would be very naive.

I understand it was late on in the game and a free-kick right at the death.

I think overall to come away from home, I understand people look at the league table, but it's wrong because Bradford have got a very strong squad.

They've got a squad not designed to be where it is and I think they'll move up the league pretty soon. 

We're absolutely delighted to win and we understand there were a few chances at the end.

But we're not naive enough to think there aren't going to be chances for the other team away from home.

 

David Hopkin

The fans were fantastic and I spoke to the players before the game to say if we give enough effort and commitment then the fans will get right behind you, because that's what they demand, it's what I demand.

Yesterday, they were fantastic again and hopefully they've seen the team move away from a bad spell they had against Gillingham.

We need to do that every week and in every game that we play - that's what Bradford fans deserve and tha'ts what they want.

 

Gareth Evans

It was a tough game and we knew it was going to be tough.

We watched some clips of Bradford and I think their league position is false in some respects, they've got some good players on their books and on paper are a really decent team.

I've said in the past, when sides come up against teams at the top '“ or there or thereabouts at the top '“ then they are going to turn up. That was the case today.

Us not scoring another goal made it a little bit nervy towards the end.

We tried really hard towards the end of the first half to get that second goal, but it wasn't to be and made it a bit nervy towards the end.

The players we have, though, are capable of holding on for a clean sheet '“ and we did.

We are thrilled to get three points and stay top of the league.

 

Neil Allen

Pompey registered their seventh League One victory to remain top of the table.

Yet they were indebted to Hope Akpan's last-gasp miss for preventing Bradford claiming a deserved point.

Gareth Evans scored in the 12th minute and there was anticipation of many more goals following at the rock-bottom Bantams.

But instead the hosts caused many problems - and Kenny Jackett's men ground out their triumph.

 

Will Rooney

It's been Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe claiming most of the headlines during Pompey's table-topping season.

But Gareth Evans is playing just as big a role in Kenny Jackett's side. 

For the fifth time this season, the skipper showed his composure in front of goal to fire the Blues to a victory at Bradford.

It was a fine finish from Evans in the 12th minute and ensured Pompey extended their lead at the summit of League One.