Walkes: Portsmouth character inspired Fleetwood triumph

The Blues found themselves 2-1 down at the break, despite having opened the scoring through Ben Thompson.

Ched Evans' controversial penalty had handed Joey Barton's men the lead two minutes before half-time.

It was a decision which incensed Pompey, while earned Matt Clarke a first booking of the season following his challenge on Paddy Madden.

Yet Kenny Jackett's men responded superbly, aided by the 51st-minute dismissal of Dean Marney which turned the game.

Goals from Walkes, Brett Pitman and Jamal Lowe (two) subsequently secured a 5-2 triumph over the Cod Army.

And Walkes was delighted with the Blues' fighting spirit.

He said: '˜If we want to get to where we want to at the end of the season, we are going to have to go through stages like that.

'˜We've had a few unfortunate results recently, but this just shows we have that character and we finished strongly against Fleetwood.

'˜We needed a little bit of luck after a few decisions didn't go in our favour and it kind of balanced out. We made the most of it and are very happy to come away with three points.

'˜From what I saw, Matt made a genuine attempt for the ball, you've got to throw your body on the line and obviously they then scored from the penalty the referee had given.

'˜I'm not saying the decision was a bad one, it was just one of those things where sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.

'˜But we got the win in the end '“ and that's what really matters.'