Fans given perfect homecoming as Portsmouth swat away promotion-rivals Peterborough

Second-half goals from Jack Whatmough and Tom Naylor ensured the 2,000 fans making their return to PO4 after a nine-month absence left full of cheer.

The Blues were well worth their victory as they put a promotion rival to the sword.

Siriki Dembele must have thought he’d have given Peterborough the breakthrough on six minutes when his 25-yard effort went just wide of the top corner.

Neither goalkeeper had too much to do in the first period, although Pompey enjoyed the better of things for the most part.

The hosts wanted a penalty for handball when John Marquis’ volley crashed off Frankie Kent but the referee wasn’t interested.

Craig MacGillivray was forced to be alert when Dembele profited on Whatmough’s slice clearance in the 34th minute, with the keeper making a good stop to his left.

The best chance for fell to Ryan Williams three minutes later. He robbed Louis Reed of possession then crack an angled cross-cum-shot that went just past the far post.

Pompey started the second half superbly and spurned two big chances.

Firstly, Williams failed to connect properly with a header when Harness stood up a cross.

Then Williams’ low, powerful effort could only be parried by Chirsty Pym. Curtis met the rebound but, with the goal at his mercy, dragged wide.

It'd take defender Whatmough to show the forwards how its done in front of goal as he gave the Blues a deserved 61st-minute lead.

Brown whipped in free-kick that Whatmough rised highest to meet and headed into the far corner for his second goal of the season.

And Pompey had their second in the 76th minute courtesy of another Naylor screamer,

Andy Cannon jinked inside to tee-up the skipper who rifled home a 30-yard shot into the top corner.

The Blues showed little signs of let-up in the closing stages, with Curtis going close with a free-kick.

In the end, Pompey held out comfortably and were greeted by an almighty roar from the Fratton faithful at the full-time whistle.