Portsmouth striker: I'll keep working on my finishingÂ

The striker broke his goal duck for the season in Pompey's 2-1 victory at Peterborough on Saturday.

Before the top-of-the-table clash at London Road, which resulted in the Blues leapfrogging the Posh, Hawkins had failed to score in his previous eight appearances this term.

That led to some sections of the Fratton faithful criticising his cutting edge and role spearheading Kenny Jackett's side's attack.

Hawkins' remit is much greater than just putting the ball in the back of the net, though.

He is the focal point of Pompey's front line, bringing the likes of Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe into play.

However, he knows he also has to weigh in with his share of goals.

And the former Dagenham & Redbridge marksman has insisted he will keep improving his finishing in training.

'˜As a striker, you always work on your finishing,' said Hawkins.

'˜There's obviously some strikers out there who are natural finishers and you might have to try to adapt and better yourself as a finisher.

'˜But I am a target man at the end of the day.

'˜I'm going to work more on being a target man with a bit of finishing to go with it.

'˜Then there will be other things I need to work on and sharpen up on.

'˜But I will continue to keep practising in training for whatever the team needs and hopefully I can bring something.'

Hawkins squandered several goalscoring opportunities in the first half at Peterborough.

However, he displayed character and composure to head home Ronan Curtis' cross in the 62nd minute to break the deadlock. 

Although the 26-year-old failed to net earlier in the game, he was pleased to have had chances.

He feels if he does get multiple opportunities then he can snaffle at least one away.

Hawkins added: '˜When you're a striker, it's more about getting the chances.

'˜I bet if you watched Sergio Aguero play he might have seven chances and score only one or two.

'˜It's more important for a striker to get those chances.

'˜Against Shrewsbury, I didn't have a chance. Yes, I might have played well but as a striker you want a goalscoring opportunity.

'˜Against Peterborough, I had three or four chances and scored once.

'˜I was buzzing '“ over the moon. There might be strikers out there who are annoyed they don't score but as long as I get chances I know I'll get the goals.'