Clarke's maiden strike helps get Pompey off the mark

Pompey gained their first victory of the season against Blackburn Rovers, watched by a crowd of 7,801 at Fratton Park.

Gary Stevens fired the Blues ahead on 17 minutes.

Then, after surviving a spell of Blackburn pressure, Pompey went further in front with Colin Clarke's first goal for the club in the 49th minute.

Steve Wigley netted the Blues' third goal two minutes later as the hosts threatened to take an out-of-sorts Rovers apart.

But the visitors pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Keith Hill's looping header caught Andy Gosney off his line.

Rovers scored again on 78 minutes when Lenny Johnrose beat the keeper with a firm header.

POMPEY: Andy Gosney, Warren Neill, John Beresford, Martin Kuhl, Graeme Hogg (Shaun Gale), Kenny Black, Steve Wigley, Gary Stevens, Colin Clarke, Warren Aspinall, Mark Kelly (Shaun Murray).

Meanwhile, Pompey Youth were beaten 3-0 by Colchester United Youth at Essex University.

Stuart Doling was the Blues' best player in a match in which Pompey were very much second best.

Elsewhere, Southampton went down 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in Division One.

Brian McClair, Clayton Blackmore and Mark Hughes were on target for United, with Paul Rideout and Rod Wallace netting for Saints.

Two goals by Peter Beardsley helped First Division leaders Liverpool to a 3-2 win over Everton, before 39,847 at Goodison Park.

Derby County were left at the bottom of the table with only two points after they lost 2-1 away to Norwich City.

Roger Palmer scored the only goal as Second Division pacesetters Oldham Athletic beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Ayresome Park.

Brighton lost 3-1 away to Bristol City in Division Two, AFC Bournemouth went down 2-0 away to Exeter City in Division Three and Aldershot lost 3-0 at Burnley in Division Four.

Gerry Creaney was on target for Celtic in a 3-0 victory at home to Hearts in the Scottish Premier League.

In an interview with The News, Andy Gosney said how he was '˜chuffed' to be Pompey's number one goalkeeper, while Alan Knight confessed that the '˜scapegoat' tag hurt.

Gosney had recently displaced Knight between the sticks for the first time.

At non-league level, goals from Nigel Mottashed and Gary Hampson earned Gosport their first home win since January against Beazer Homes premier division rivals Bashley in the FA Trophy at Privett Park.

Also in the FA Trophy, Fareham overcame the challenge of Vauxhall Division One side Worthing, winning 3-0 at Cams Alders with goals by Andy Price, Paul Thomas and Keith Brooks.