The final goal Oliver Hawkins will be aiming for ahead of a potential summer Portsmouth departure

His powerful near-post header set the Blues on their way to a comfortable 4-1 victory and kept their League One automatic promotion aspirations alive.

That win was a year ago today – and the last time Hawkins scored in a competitive game.

In his subsequent 19 appearances, the striker has failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

And now well into the final few months of his contract, Hawkins will be coveting one more goal with the star & crescent on his chest ahead of a potential departure at the season's end.

With his deal due to expire on June 30 – although it looks likely to be extended to complete the campaign amid the coronavirus crisis – the forward will be exploring his options.

Following the arrivals of Ellis Harrison and John Marquis from Ipswich and Doncaster respectively last summer, it pushed Hawkins down the pecking order.

What's more, injuries have restricted him to just 12 appearances.

And half of his outings have been as a makeshift centre-back rather than his preferred striking role, impacting the chances of him etching his name on the scoresheet.

Having turned 28 earlier this month, Hawkins simply needs to be playing regular minutes.

Now in his peak years, he'll be wary it's time to no longer be playing a support-role act – but, instead, be spearheading a front line week in, week out.

Since arriving from Dagenham on transfer deadline day in August 2017, Hawkins has never quite won over every single member of the Fratton faithful.

Some sections of fans to believe that, for a striker wearing the number nine jersey, he just doesn't score enough goals.

In 95 appearances, he's netted 18 times in total - an average of a goal every 5.2 matches.

For a towering 6ft 5in forward, Hawkins' conversion rate isn't as clinical as it perhaps should be.

By his own admission, though, he's not a natural marksman who will snaffle away half a chance.

When Hawkins is given the duty of leading the line, his remit is to occupy defences, lure them out of position and create space his team-mates can exploit.

Last season, the former Hemel Hempstead man spent a large portion operating as a lone striker, helping Kenny Jackett's men score 109 goals in all competitions – with only Manchester City netting more.

While Christian Burgess has been tabled a new contract and Lee Brown looks likely to stay, the signs are pointing towards Hawkins heading for pastures new when his three-year deal expires.

‘Any player who is not involved, not playing much or out of squads will tell you it is tough,’ he said in February.

‘Your mind does wander and you sort of think “am I able to get out and go to another team and play?”

‘It probably did cross my mind (about leaving in January). I am the sort of player at the point in my career where I do need to play games to get up to full fitness and show my best.’

If Hawkins does depart then then hopefully he can bow out with a League One promotion and a second EFL Trophy winners' medal to his name.

Oh, and at least one final goal to add to his tally.