Southend United 2-1 Portsmouth

Southend's Ryan Leonard scored late in each half to narrowly beat Portsmouth.

Pompey dominated the first period and after Shrimpers keeper Daniel Bentley made three good saves, Sonny Bradley finally broke through, sidefooting home Ashley Harris' right-wing corner.

But the hosts equalised when a deflected long-range shot from Leonard flew in to the bottom corner.

Lee Wallace hit the crossbar for Pompey before Leonard fired home Barry Corr's pass two minutes into stoppage time.

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Southend United manager Phil Brown told BBC Essex:

"We just about deserved it. We rode our luck, Dan Bentley produced one or two saves in the first half.

"We got the goal at the right time, it probably killed their momentum a little bit.

"The boys are really up for the challenge, and we responded admirably. What a strike from Leonard for the winning goal - it was pure quality. It's probably the sweetest he's ever hit a ball.

"These guys in the changing room have got so much belief in what we're trying to achieve this year, they just get on with it."

Portsmouth manager Richie Barker told BBC Radio Solent:

"I'm devastated for the players, they put in so much effort. The work rate was fantastic, they did everything we've asked them to do and the only thing they didn't really do was probably compete with the long ball - for the first time really because they've dealt with everything so far - so, disappointed.

"I'd say if you take into consideration away from home against a team that are probably going to finish in the play-offs at least, in conditions like they were, with the number of people we've got missing, then arguably probably yes [that was the best performance so far of my reign]. Short of numbers, three games in a week and in shocking conditions and they've competed with one of the best teams in the division.

"We've conceded in the minute before half time and a minute before the end of the game, so unfortunately it's one of those cruel things, you've got to see the game through."