Portsmouth battle to pick up 2-1 victory over MK Dons

First-half goals from Tom Naylor and Ellis Harrison proved enough as the Blues a third straight win in all competitions.

And after a tough start to the campaign, Kenny Jackett’s men moved up to ninth in the table.

Pompey made a dream start and for successive weekends took the lead inside two minutes.

Lee Brown’s pinpoint corner was met by Naylor, whose header found the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

However, the Dons were level 10 minutes later. Bryn Morris needlessly tripped Louis Thompson inside the box, with the referee immediately pointing to the penalty spot.

Scott Fraser stepped up and sent Blues keeper Craig MacGillivray the wrong way to equalise.

However, Pompey restored their lead in the 23rd minute – through a spot-kick of their own.

The referee spotted George Williams holding back Sean Raggett and Harrison fired home for his second goal of the season.

Both sides had spells for the rest of the first half, with Marcus Harness having the best chance when his long-range effort was well saved by Dons stopped Lee Nicholls.

Jackett made a tactical tweak at the interval, with Rasmus Nicolaisen coming on for his League One debut, replacing Ronan Curtis.

But despite Pompey going to a 3-4-1-2 system, it was MK Dons who had the majority of the better of things.

MacGillivray was forced into a fine stop on 55 minutes when his outstretched leg thwarted Sorinola’s shot.

Then Blues went agonisingly close to adding a third when Brown slipped in Harrison but his effort at a tight angle was kept out by Nicholls.

From thereon, it was the visitors who enjoyed most of the ball, with Pompey confined to their own half for the rest of the game.

However, Jackett’s men held for all three points, despite several nervy moments in the closing stages.

Pompey's win moved them up to eighth in the table and one spot outside the play-offs.