Portsmouth 3 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale’s winning run came crashing to a halt with defeat at Portsmouth. Three defensive lapses gave Pompey the chance to score, which they duly took to end the unbeaten run.

In front of a large and very vocal Fratton Park crowd, the home side took the game to their visitors from the off.

John Marquis had a glorious chance to open the scoring but scuffed his shot when well placed.

That should have been a warning shot to Hill’s side but they didn’t heed the warning as Pompey took the lead. A poor defensive clearance by O’Connell saw the ball fall at the feet of Wallace who rifled the ball into the bottom corner.

Lillis had been the busier of the two keepers and had to be alert on the half hour mark when he raced out of his area to tackle Agyemang.

Hill’s men rarely threatened but forced two saves from Carson in the Pompey goal late in the first half. Lund’s misplaced cross from the left almost caught out Carson but the on loan stopper pushed over. From the corner, Done picked up outside the area and it took another fine stop by Carson to deny Dale.

Just six minutes into the second half and Portsmouth doubled their lead. Bonz N’Gala lost his marker Bennett at a corner to power home a header.

N’Gala got his second and Pompey’s third after again losing Bennett in a similar corner routine to head home.

Keith Hill’s side rallied slightly in the last 10 minutes and went close through O’Connell’s header whilst Vincenti’s weak header was easy for Carson.

Lillis was again quick out of his area to tackle Marquis after the striker beat the offside trap but the Dale man timed another tackle to perfection.

Dale almost got a couple of goals late on but Cummins hit the outside of the post from seven yards out after a defensive mistake.

Cummins forced Carson into a fine save with the rebound from Vincenti looking suspiciously like it crossed the line but the officials waved play on.

It’s a result that ends the fine run which has seen Dale unbeaten in five games with League new boys Newport at Spotland next Saturday.

Attendance: 15,155 (426 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rose (Vincenti 58), O’Connell, Lancashire (C), Bennett, Henderson, Lund, Dicker (Hery 63), Done, Bunney (Cummins 53), Hogan
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Rafferty, Eastham, Allen

Portsmouth: Carson, Devera, N’Gala, Bradley, Painter, Wallace, Ertl (C), Racon (Pasovani 79), Holmes, Agyemang (Barcham 79), Marquis
Subs: (not used) Smith, Craddock, Mahon, Cooper, Butler

Referee: Mr S Hooper
Assistant Referees: Mr C Hazidakis and Mr C Powell
Fourth Official: Mr L Venamore