Michael Appleton gives honest assesement on Portsmouth's defeat of Lincoln - and where his former side will finish in League One

The Blues thoroughly deserved their 3-1 victory at the fourth-placed Imps on Tuesday evening.

John Marquis notched a double while Ronan Curtis was also on target as Kenny Jackett's men continued their rampant away form.

In total, the visitors had 18 shots on goal, with the likes of Ryan Williams and Marcus Harness going close to making the scoreline more emphatic.

Appleton had no complaints that Licoln fell short against the club he managed for a year earlier in his career.

He felt that Marquis' nous allowed him to 'bully' the Imps’ defence – and is convinced Pompey will be in the battle for automatic promotion this season.

Appleton told Lincolnshire Live: ‘We missed certainly one or two members of the side there’s no doubt about it. But I just think we got beat by a more experienced side.

‘Between both boxes though I think we were better. I just thought they were better in both boxes.

‘They were more clinical, more aggressive. So when we’re in wide positions it’s important that we are aggressive and we get across people.

‘I was disappointed with the goals, especially the first and the second goals.

“They will definitely be in and around it (at the top of the table). The boy Marquis bullied us as a back four at times.

‘He showed his experience and cleverness around the box, when to buy fouls, when to back in, and we didn’t cope with it.

‘We went 3-0 down and it could have been five or six if we weren’t careful, but fair play to the fellas for getting one back and having other opportunities.

‘They kept going. I can’t fault them for that, but I thought we got done in both boxes.’

Pompey have a short break from league action when they travel to Ipswich in the FA Cup on Saturday before facing West Ham under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy.