'Played on their doorstep' - Portsmouth made to pay for rejecting Bristol Rovers match-winner

The striker fired a double as the Blues slipped to a 3-1 loss at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ayunga scored his first League One goals since joining Rovers from Pompey's near-neighbours Hawks last summer.

Kenny Jackett was offered the opportunity to sign the ex-Brighton man after he plundered 24 goals for the Westleigh Park outfit last season.

However, the Pompey manager passed up the chance.

And Widdrington, standing in as caretaker boss at the Gas after Paul Tisdale was sacked, is adamant the Blues should have gambled instead of allowing Ayunga to head to Somerset.

He told the Bristol Post: ‘The fella scored two goals, but it might as well have been a hat-trick with the header he cleared away from our six-yard box.

‘He played on their (Pompey’s) doorstep for a year and he scored 30 goals so they missed out on him there.

‘But, ultimately, there’s nobody inside that building who doubts Jonah Ayunga.

‘To say that he’s been itching for his first league goal, I think it’s his second league start so now he’s two in two. From my point of view, that’s prolific.

‘Jonah will get the plaudits because he scored two goals and he’ll be really shy and timid in his interviews afterwards.

‘Believe me, that’s not what he was like for 80 minutes in that game, you could ask any of their players, he’s given them an absolutely torrid time.’

Rovers pulled off a shock success against Pompey, with both sides sat at opposite ends of the table.

John Marquis opened the scoring for the fourth-placed Blues on 24 minutes before Ayung’a quickfire brace gave the home side the lead at half-time.

Then Luke Leahy wrapped up the three points for the Gas from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after he was fouled by Sean Raggett.

It represented a first win for Rovers in 12 matches as they edged away from the relegation zone.

Widdrington added: ‘They are a good side. If you finish above Portsmouth this season, you’re likely to get promoted.

‘That’s not going to be with us but we’ve proved we can compete with the best in the division.

‘I have had no doubt that we have enough at this club – I've said it time and time again.’