Portsmouth march into third in League One with victory over Rochdale

Fratton Park continued to prove a fortress for the Blues,with Ryan Williams opening the scoring before half-time before Steve Seddon - his first for the club – and Christian Burgess extending the advantage after the break.

And Kenny Jackett's men are two points outside the automatic promotion spots, putting pressure on their rivals who are in action over the weekend.

Pompey made two changes from Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory over MK Dons.

James Bolton and Cameron McGeehan came in for Ross McCrorie and Ben Close respectively.

Ellis Harrison was also fit enough to return to the bench after recovering from a dead leg. It was Oli Hawkins who was omitted from the squad to accommodate Harrison, meaning Brett Pitman was again named among the substitutes having returned from the cold against the Dons.

Pompey made a bright start and on two minutes Ronan Curtis’ wind-assisted corner caused problems, forcing visiting keeper Robert Sanchez to clear with an outstretched leg.

Matty Lund had the first real sight on goal for Rochdale in the eighth minute but his low drive ran harmlessly wide.

Moments later Ryan Williams wriggled himself space deep in enemy territory, although his curling effort went just wide of the top corner.

There was a worry for the Blues in the 16th minute when Christian Burgess misjudged a long ball which allowed Ian Henderson in, but home stopper Alex Bass easily gathered the chipped shot.

It wasn't proving the most entertaining game, with conditions clearly taking their toll.

Rhys Norrington-Davies forced Bass into a clever stop when he smothered a cross-cum-shot.

Finally the game would burst into life, though, with Jackett’s men snatching the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Curtis stood up a cross for Burgess, whose header was saved by Sanchez. However, Williams reacted first to slam home the rebound.

And the advantage was almost doubled in the third minute of added-time when Andy Cannon’s effort against his former club took a wicked deflection.

The second period took a while to get going before Pompey were given a major scare on 53 minutes.

Dale skipper Ian Henderson was given far too much space outside the area and he took the opportunity to shoot. His powerful right-footed effort beat Bass but the woodwork came to the Blues’ rescue.

Burgess’ yellow card he collected was his 10th of the season – meaning he must serve a two-match ban. He will, however, be able to feature against Arsenal on Monday as it is competition specific.

Jackett then made a double substitution, with Cannon and Lee Brown were replaced by Ben Close and Seddon.

Seddon made a quick impact with his cross in the 63rd minute pinpointing Marquis, but his header was gathered by Sanchez.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s men were trying to find an equaliser and Bass was froced to push Aaron Morley’s header over the bar.

There was clearly another goal in this game - and it went Pompey’s way.

James Bolton’s cross from the right wasn't cleared properly and the ball dropped for Seddon outside the area, who lashed a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

And the on-loan Birmingham man was then to create the hosts’ third with six minutes left.

His inviting cross free-kick from the right was met by Burgess, who glanced home and wielded away in delight to wrap up all three points.

Pompey continue their promotion march, leapfrogging Wycombe into third on goal difference.

And it sets the Blues up perfectly for the exciting FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal on Monday.

Pompey: Bass, Bolton, Burgess, Raggett, Brown (Seddon 64), Naylor, McGeehan; Williams, Cannon (Close 64), Curtis, Marquis (harrison 84).

Subs not used: MacGillivray, McCrorie, Harness, Pitman.

Rochdale: Sanchez, Matheson, McNulty, McShane, Norrington-Davies (Keohane 45+1), Lund, Morley (Done 66), Williams, Camps, Henderson, Wilbraham.

Subs not used: Lynch, Dooley, Andrew, Dunne, Ryan.