Forward craving more Portsmouth goals after Coventry match-winner

Ronan Curtis, right, and Lee Brown. Picture: Philip Oldham

The Blues' rising attacking star lit up the victory at Coventry last night with a moment of quality in first-half stoppage-time.

The Irishman fired in an ice-cool 20-yard finish to help his side extend their lead at the top of League One to three points.

It was Curtis' sixth goal of the season to go with five assists since arriving from Derry City in June.Â

But it's also been a run of five games without netting in Pompey colours for the 22-year-old, although he was absent for two of those games on international duty.

Curtis explained he sets himself high standards when it comes to exerting his influence on games.

But he's satisfied if that comes in the form of goals or assists.

The forwardÂ said: '˜I'm frustrated when I don't score, but as long as I get a bit of talent out of the game I'm happy.

'˜If I can set up one of my team-mates up I'm pleased.

'˜On Saturday I set up Clarkey (Matt Clarke) and played a bit part inÂ the first goal when I played in Brett (Pitman) and he teed-up Jamal (Lowe) to score.

'˜So I'm doing the best I can and that's all I can do.

'˜When I came here I said I was here to score goals and set up goals. That's what I've done.

'˜Now I want to keep that form going.

'˜I didn't think I was going to play as much as I have.

'˜But the staff have shown their belief in me and I'm flying.'

Curtis had plenty of work to do for his strike when picking up Pitman's knockdown on the edge of the box.

But the Republic of Ireland under-21 international took his time before dispatching an unerring finish.

Curtis added: '˜It was a decent goal.

'˜I knew what I was doing when the ball fell to me.

'˜I didn't want to hit it first time because there were bodies in front of me.

'˜So I didn't panic, took a touch and the defender dived in. I took it around him and finished in the bottom corner.

'˜We always work hard on the training ground on what we can do.

'˜Then it's down to your talent coming out '“Â and I was able to show a little bit of talent in this game.'