Michael Jacobs toasts breaking Portsmouth goal duck - but another aspect of win at Gillingham also 'massive'

But the playmaker took just as much satisfaction from the Blues’ clean sheet in their Priestfield victory.

Jacobs netted his first Pompey goal since arriving on a free transfer from Wigan last month.

The ex-Wolves man doubled Kenny Jackett’s side’s lead on 17 minutes after John Marquis had bagged three minutes earlier.

The Blues were well worth all three points as they moved up to eighth in the League One table.

After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Doncaster last weekend, Jacobs knew it was crucial for Pompey to bounce back at the Gills.

He felt the success could have been even more emphatic and took heart from a first shutout in four league games.

Jacobs said: ‘It was a scrappy goal – I know that!

‘I think it is a weight off the shoulders. As an attacking player, you're judged on your creativity, goals and assists so it was nice to get one.

‘I had a good chance in the second half when I probably should have done a bit better but it was nice to get off the mark.

‘It’s a tough place to come and a lot of teams will come here and get rolled over.

‘I think we could have had a couple more. We created a lot of chances, especially in the second half when the game opened up.

‘You want to score more goals but a clean sheet against these boys is good. They’re quite direct and create danger at the back with their directness.

‘A clean sheet is massive, especially after the weekend, and we could have had a couple more goals.

‘You know the throw-ins and corners are going to come in but the boys back there were outstanding. Craig made a save from the edge of the box to keep it at 2-0.

‘If that goes in with five minutes to go then you never know what’s going to happen so it was a good win for us.’