Andy Cannon makes injury return in Portsmouth reserves’ defeat of Fulham

Andy Cannon featured in the reserves' win at Fulham. Picture: Joe Pepler

Louis Dennis netted the only goal of the game on the hour mark at the Cottagers’ Motspur Park training ground.

Cannon was featuring for the first time since the 2-1 loss to Oxford United on January 19, having since been sidelined with a quad injury.

The midfielder has made just two Pompey appearances following a £150,000 move to Fratton Park from Rochdale.

There was also an appearance for fellow January arrival Bryn Morris, whose last outing was in the goalless draw with Barnsley on February 23.

The former Shrewsbury man had been absent with a groin complaint, although he was an unused substitute in the 3-2 win at Wycombe on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Dan Smith was back from his loan spell at Cork City to line-up for Jake Wigley’s men.

First-team players Alex Bass, Anton Walkes, Brandon Haunstrup and Adam May were also handed much-needed minutes.

Dennis was the visitors’ chief threat in the first half, whistling a couple of shots narrowly wide of the target.

Bass was called into action shortly into the second period, making a brave stop to deny Fulham forward Mattias Kait.

Dennis has been well down the first-team pecking order this season, after arriving from non-league Bromley last summer.

He’s made just eight appearances in all competition, with only one of those coming in the League One promotion push.

But the forward again gave boss Kenny Jackett a reminder of his quality.

After firing a double for the reserves in their win against the Royal Navy last month, the 26-year-old broke the deadlock when he fired into the bottom corner on 60 minutes.

Smith had an opportunity to double Pompey’s advantage minutes later. but his header was superbly denied by home keeper Magnus Norman.

Bass again made a smart stop to thwart a Fulham triallist an equaliser.

And in the closing stages, Dennis almost notched his second of the game but had a free-kick well tipped over by Norman.

Pompey: Bass; Walkes, Mnoga, Hancott, Haunstrup; May, Morris; Smith, Cannon (Teggart 70), Flint (Johnston 61); Dennis

Subs not used: Durin, Bruce, Bell, Stanley