James Bolton toasts another Fratton Park matchwinner - this time for Portsmouth

Now the resurgent right-back has embraced the cheers of the Pompey faithful following his goal-scoring contribution against Sunderland.

Bolton converted Ronan Curtis’ left-wing corner to grab the Blues’ second in Saturday’s impressive 2-0 success over their promotion rivals.

It represented a second goal in seven games for the 25-year-old, who has revelled in a regular run in the side.

Yet celebrating at Fratton Park is not an entirely new experience for Bolton, who scored Shrewsbury’s goal in their 1-0 victory in January 2018.

Still, now he has his first for the Blues on home turf.

He said: ‘It was a great ball from Ronan, pretty similar to my Fleetwood goal where I have just managed to get my foot on it and it has gone into the bottom corner.

‘To be honest, I have been thinking in my head about scoring here and how good it would be and running over to celebrate with the fans.

‘So it was special and something I won’t forget.

‘I have scored for Shrewsbury of course, but it was brilliant to net for Pompey and jump in with the fans.

‘Despite being a defender, I like to think I get a few chances in games, I missed one in the first half which I was a bit gutted I didn’t do better with.

‘Still, I’m pleased to get a goal and help the team out.’

Pompey’s club record-equalling eight successive win ensures they are in sixth, three points behind second-placed Wycombe with two games in hand.

And the scoreline could have been even more emphatic against the Black Cats, who now slip a place behind.

Bolton added: ‘I probably had too much space for the other chance. Andy put a great ball across and I tried to open it up a bit to side foot it.

‘I should have just concentrated on trying to connect with the ball, I probably tried to put it into a corner a little too much.

‘Regardless, we got a big win against a big side and it's great for us.’