Portsmouth's Accrington flashback: Doyle's volley and Connolly's double

Goal-scorer Michael Doyle celebrates Pompey's 3-1 victory at Accrington in March 2016. Picture: Joe Pepler

Each of those occasions have been hard fought and tightly contested between clubs which have largely been promotion rivals.

Now the table-topping Blues head to the Crown Ground to face opponents sitting fourth in League One.

Here are their previous encounters in Lancashire'¦

August 10, 2013

Accrington 2 Pompey 2

Peter Murphy's late headed leveller denied Guy Whittingham's side victory in a televised encounter.

David Connolly had scored twice, the second from the penalty spot, to put the visitors 2-1 up.

Yet Murphy grabbed his second goal of the match five minutes from time to equalise for James Beattie's side.

March 7, 2015

Accrington 1 Pompey 1

Andy Awford's menÂ had to settle for a point after failing to break down a stubborn 10-man resistance.

Accrington were forced to play out the final 37 minutes without Anthony Barry, following his red card for a lunge on Danny Hollands.

Ryan Taylor had earlier cancelled out Josh Windass' free-kick during the first half '“Â and it remained 1-1 at the final whistle, despite the hosts' numerical disadvantage.

March 8, 2016

Accrington 1 Pompey 3

A stunning first-half display saw Pompey establish a three-goal lead over their promotion rivals.

Kyle Bennett, Matt Pearson's own goal and Michael Doyle's stunning left-foot volley ensured Paul Cook's side entered the interval at 3-0.

Shay McCartan pulled one back late on, but it couldn't prevent the visitors moving up into fourth spot.

However, Pompey lost their subsequent match 3-0 at home to Newport County and ended upÂ finishing sixth, reaching the play-offs.

September 17, 2016

Accrington 1 Pompey 0

Paddy Lacey's stunning strike from long-range settled a tight Crowd Ground contest.

The disappointing Blues failed to even produce a shot on target, while Christian Burgess headed Sean McConville's corner against his own bar.

Then, on 52 minutes, Lacey registered his maiden Football League goal to earn them the points over Paul Cook's men.

Later that season, midfielder Lacey was banned for 14 months after testing positive for a prohibited substance.