Lincoln City 1 Portsmouth 3: Jordan Cross' match report as road warriors serve more notice of their League One potential

And his swaggering road warriors served up more compelling evidence they are up for his cause, as they delivered a new contender for the season’s high watermark with a brutal dismissal of Lincoln.

Faced with the prospect of back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 655 days, Pompey served up their fifth travelling maximum on the spin with the consummate away display.

Summer questions of the team being on board with their manager drifted off further into the distance as they powered back into the play-off spots.

John Marquis two-goal salvo to make it seven in five will grab the headlines as Ronan Curtis helped himself to a fifth finish this term.

But this was a performance drenched in positives across pitch.

Rasmus Nicolaisen cruising through a full league bow with an ease, grace and eye for a pass which prompted much of Pompey’s best work.

Tom Naylor anchoring midfield and offering the the kind of defensive insurance policy which allowed the visitors to mercilessly dispatch Lincoln on the counter.

And Ryan Williams, quite simply, in the form of his Pompey career.

How the little Aussie deserved his maiden goal this season for his industry, creativity and endeavour.

It mattered little, however, as did Pompey being served a late curveball before kick-off as Lee Brown picked up a hamstring injury in the warm-up, forcing the Blues into handing Cam Pring a start.

The other anticipated switch saw Rasmus Nicolaisen come in to make his full league bow in the absence of Jack Whatmough.

Lincoln have confounded expectations to set the early pace in League One this season.

The Imps were presented with their own injury issues as they made three changes for the game, including the absent defensive goalscoring sensation Lewis Montsma - who’s already bagged six finishes this term.

Those issues were fooling nobody about the size of the task presented to Pompey in an effort to repeat their 2-0 victory at Sincil Bank in January, however.

That challenge caused little hesitation, however, as Jackett’s set about the home side with vigour and a voracious appetite to put right the weekend disappointment to Charlton.

Ryan Williams had already served notice of the Blues’ intent with an early sighter, which keeper Alex Palmer dealt with.

Lincoln failed to heed the statement of intent, however, instead affording Marquis the kind of time and space in the box which made the outcome of his fifth-minute opening inevitable.

A marksman in such rich form was never going to resist being allowed on to his favoured foot 12 yards out. The inexorable, low finish was certain and cold-blooded.

Lincoln’s response was to regroup and threaten with the tempting corner deliveries of League One’s top scorer, Jorge Grant.

Yet, there was an assuredness about Pompey’s play, borne out of their upwardly-mobile form since October and particularly their impressive away wins.

That was apparent with each thrusting counter. The charge into the box from a player in the form of his Fratton career in Ryan Williams could’ve brought the second 11 minutes before the break, but Tom Naylor’s low drive found a red midriff after being teed up.

Lincoln were the side who greeted the half-time whistle gratefully, as they were afforded a period to regroup and consider the challenge of hauling themselves back into the argument.

Pompey could and perhaps should’ve put themselves further in the ascendancy seconds after the restart, as Pring teased a tantalising delivery which Williams could’ve have perhaps met if the cross was met with some more certainty.

Instead the ball flashed across goals in a similar manner to it flying over the top a few minutes later from Curtis’ 30-yard drive.

It mattered little within seconds, however.

The wisdom of playing Harness away from the central attacking role was beginning to be considered, as he found space out in the 50th minute. A delicately caressed centre reminded us of his ability to deliver, however,

That moment was the cue for Pompey to lay into a shellshocked home side with an unforgiving savagery as they sensed more goals.

Three times Williams went close with Harness also sending a header over the top.

Amid the charge Jackett’s men reaped the killer third, however.

It was inevitably Williams who was the architect, as he arrowed a drive at goal. Curtis had the presence of mind to allow the ball to sit up for him before lashing his finish home.

Tom Hopper’s header with 18 minutes left should’ve been enough to heighten the nerves as Lincoln sought a way back into the game.

It did nothing of the sort, however, as Pompey saw the game out with ease as the sound of John Westwood’s bell hung in the icy Lincolnshire night.

So another message of intent as Jackett’s men served notice of their capability. A modicum more consistency and they could be real contenders.