Portsmouth 0 - 1 Crewe Alexandra: Crewe stun Portsmouth with late George Ray header

Portsmouth's automatic promotion hopes suffered a blow as Paul Cook's side slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to lowly Crewe at Fratton Park.

George Ray's header 13 minutes from time capped a miserable week for Pompey after being held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Morecambe on Tuesday.

Callum Cooke sent in a ball from the left and defender Ray rose highest at the back post to nod past home goalkeeper David Forde.

Crewe would have been in front seconds before half-time but for Enda Stevens clearing a Ben Nugent header off the line after Forde flapped at a corner.

The visitors produced a stubborn defensive display, reducing Pompey to few clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Striker Eoin Doyle should have done better with a ninth-minute header which he sent over the crossbar from Stevens' centre.

Gary Roberts also curled a long-range free-kick narrowly over the frame of the goal while Kal Naismith could not keep his effort down after Kyle Bennett had crossed.