Cambridge 0 Pompey 1: Cook praises resilient Blues

Pompey midfielder Amine Linganzi saw red for a two-footed challenge in the second half - but the Blues held firm to earn a vital three-point haul Picture: Joe Pepler

Conor Chaplin’s fifth goal of the season settled today’s Abbey Stadium encounter in front of a 6,397 crowd.

However, the Blues had to survive the final 29 minutes without Amine Linganzi, following his straight red card.

Regardless, Cook’s men stood up to the task admirably, demonstrating a grit often missing in recent weeks.

And Pompey’s boss was delighted with his team’s resilience.

He said: ‘We have got to stop conceding goals, in this game if you keep conceding it is going to make it difficult and I thought today the players were a credit to the club.

‘They gave every last breath for them and we needed to hang on, that win was so important to our fans, it was really was, and they continue to turn up in their droves and give the players and myself fantastic support and we really do appreciate it.

‘We lack concentration, there is a word in football today called transition and we struggle with it.

‘But when we have to defend we are as good as anybody in this league.

‘The lads at the back were outstanding and great credit to them, but they have to do it every week.’