John Marquis ends goal drought as Portsmouth deliver victory at Fleetwood

John Marquis’ first-half header proved the difference in a tight affair at Highbury Stadium.

Kenny Jackett’s side were back in third-tier action for the first time in 29 days after having three matches postponed for coronavirus cases and a froen pitch at Accrington.

Fleetwood had the first sight on goal in the second minute but Paddy Madden flashed wide.

Pompey perhaps could have had a penalty on 15 minutes when Callum Johnson appeared to be tripped by Ryan Rydel but the referee wasn’t interested.

Yet the opener arrived a minute later, with Marquis ending his barren run.

Ryan Williams put in a wicked cross and Marquis stooped low to bravely head home his 13th goal of the season.

What’s more, it was the first time hit the back of the net in nine matches.

The home side made a decent response, with Craig MacGillivray forcing a fine save out of Callum Camps before Callum Connolly headed wide at the far post.

The Blues looked dangerous on the counter-attack, although their decision-making in particular let them down.

Six minutes into the second half, Michel Jacobs spurned a big chance to double the visitors’ advantage when his left-footed shot was saved by Fleetwood keeper Joe Hilton.

Then Williams’ pressing saw him rush Hilton into a mistake before teeing-up Marquis, but his half-voley went out of the ground.

Fleetwood enjoyed a spell of pressure without having any real attempts on goal.

The one decent they did muster was from Camps on 82 minutes but it was down the throat of MacGillivray.

The Cod Army understandably threw everything at an equaliser in the dying stages but Pompey remained stoic and resolute to return to the south coast with all three points.