Portsmouth 3 - 1 Bristol Rovers: Michael Smith opens goalscoring account as Pompey beat Pirates

Michael Smith's first Portsmouth goal helped put their promotion bid back on track in a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers at Fratton Park.

The Swindon loanee headed home just before half-time, after Gareth Evans' chip from close range had given Paul Cook's side the lead. Marc McNulty completed the win in the second half.

Pompey went ahead in the 19th minute, Ben Davies' cross from the right deftly chipped over Steve Mildenhall at the front post by Evans and into the far corner.

Smith doubled Portsmouth's lead three minutes into first-half stoppage time. Again Davies got the assist, this time as he whipped in the ball from the left for the striker to head his first goal for the club.

Kyle Bennett's long ball forward in the 77th minute allowed substitute McNulty to drive into the box and slot the ball beyond the onrushing Mildenhall.

Lee Brown grabbed a consolation goal for Rovers in the final minutes of the game, firing a free-kick from the edge of the box into the top corner.