Portsmouth establish Football League away record

Pompey have registered the best away start to a Football League season in the club's history.
Kenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe PeplerKenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe Pepler

Saturday's 2-1 success at AFC Wimbledon represents eight matches unbeaten on their travels.

That tally consists of seven league fixtures plus the recent Checkatrade Trophy triumph at Crawley.

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The Blues previously had never been undefeated for more than six matches away from home at the start of a campaign '“ achieving that figure four times since 1920.

Kenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe PeplerKenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kenny Jackett has masterminded eight away matches without defeat. Picture: Joe Pepler

It emphasises the outstanding progress Kenny Jackett's side continue to make as they retain their grip of League One's top spot.

So far there have been 19 points from a possible 21 on the road in league competition, with a goalless draw at Doncaster the only match to see them drop points.

In contrast, it is 11 from a potential 18 at Fratton Park '“ with Fleetwood next to visit on Saturday.

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The last occasion the Blues began a campaign this strongly in terms of away results was in Alan Ball's Division Two promotion year of 1986-87.

That six-game run included a 2-1 Littlewoods Cup first-leg victory at Wrexham, courtesy of goals from Kevin O'Callaghan and Mick Quinn.

Defeat '“ either home or away '“ finally arrived on October 18, 1987, at Elland Road, with a 3-1 loss. Future Blues striker Ian Baird was among the Leeds scorers.

That ended a period of nine league matches unbeaten , yet it wouldn't be until Boxing Day at Plymouth before Ball's men next collected an away success.

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Pompey also went six games undefeated at the beginning of 1961-62 '“ another promotion-winning campaign.

That consisted of a first-round League Cup victory at Barrow, with Harry Middleton and Bobby Campbell the scores in a 2-0 triumph.

On October 7, 1961, George Smith's men lost 2-1 at Notts County. It also represented a first defeat in the opening 15 fixtures of the season.

The Blues then lost their next three away matches, but finished the campaign top of Division Three.

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Pompey won their maiden Division One title in 1948-49, establishing a post-war club record of 13 league games undefeated at the season's start.

That consisted of six away matches, of which only two were won. A 3-0 loss at Wolves ended the run.

Finally, in 1924-25, a 2-0 defeat at Bradford ended six away fixtures without defeat from the beginning of the Division Two campaign.