Shrewsbury Town's trip to Fratton Park ends in a 1-0 Sky Bet League One defeat.
Shrewsbury Town's Sky Bet League One away fixture with Portsmouth ultimatrly ended in defeat as Town left the south having faced a 1-0 loss.
Ryan Tunnicliffe's third-minute goal was the difference between the two sides as the early goal secured Danny Cowley's men all three points.
Town's afternoon at Fratton Park got off to a disappointing start as the home side found the first goal of the fixture in just the third minute. Ryan Tunnicliffe dribbled through the Salop back line to find a yard of space in the box. Pompey's number eight then took his chance and buried his effort into the bottom corner of the net.
Despite the early setback, Town kept on pushing forward with every foray forward and attack. The forward trio of Tom Bloxham, Dan Udoh and Sam Cosgrove kept the Pompey defence busy whilst Luke Leahy continued to cause issues down the left side.
As the clock ticked just over the 30-minute mark, Matthew Pennington made a pivotal block in the Town box to deny the home side a second. A bobbling ball in a busy area fell the way of Clark Robinson but Pennington's quick reactions saw the Salop number five thrust his body in the way of the goalward effort.
Early in the second-half, Leahy nearly found the back of the net for the Town. The left-wing-back went through on goal but saw his shot from a tight angle turned around the post by Pompey number one Gavin Bazunu. Josh Vela came close a few moments later. Town's number 10 received the ball on the edge of the Pompey box but his driven strike was calmy claimed by the 'keeper.
As the half progressed, Town continued knocking on the door. Late on - in the 90th minute - Aaron Pierre came agonisingly close to giving Town an equaliser. Bennett lofted a smart cross into the box, Pierre rose highest but his headed effort was parried wide of the goal.
Despite their best efforts and determined play, Town couldn't find a way back into the fixture as all three points remained at Fratton Park.
The Teams:
Pompey: Gavin Bazunu, Lee Brown, Clark Robertson (Connor Ogilive, 45), Shaun Williams, Ryan Tunnicliffe, John Marquis (Ellis Harrison, 90), Marcus Harness (Gassan Ahadme, 45), Ronan Curtis, Kieron Freeman, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, Sean Raggett.
Subs not used: Alex Bass, George Hurst, Joe Morrell, Michael Jacobs.
Salop: Marko Marosi, Luke Leahy, Matthew Pennington, Aaron Pierre, Sam Cosgrove, Josh Vela, Daniel Udoh, Elliott Bennett, Tom Bloxham (Rekeil Pyke, 62), Joshua Daniels (Nathanael Ogbeta, 84), George Nurse.
Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, David Davis, Charlie Caton, Cameron Gregory.
Attendance: 14,471 (259)
Officials:
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistants: Ryan Whitaker and Michael Chard
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks
Bookings:
Ronan Curtis was the first player shown a yellow card. The forward was booked for a foul on Bennett in the 20th minute.
Josh Vela was shown a yellow card by referee Trevor Kettle in the 54th minute for a late tackle in the middle of the park.
