Portsmouth 0-0 Northampton Town

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Andy KingImage source, Getty Images

Andy King earned his first point as Northampton's caretaker boss in a goalless draw with Portsmouth.

Pompey started the brighter, with Jed Wallace's 25-yard effort catching goalkeeper Matt Duke by surprise and bouncing off the top of the crossbar.

Duke was forced into his first serious save on 64 minutes, diving full-length to stop Therry Racon's long-range shot.

Northampton wanted a penalty when Sonny Bradley hauled down David Moyo, but referee Gavin Ward waved away claims.

Clive Platt, Mathias Doumbe, Ian Morris, Kelvin Langmead, Alex Nicholls and Lewis Hornby all remained sidelined for the Cobblers.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Portsmouth manager Richie Barker told BBC Radio Solent:

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Post-match: Portsmouth boss Barker

"I'm not particularly satisfied. There are positives. Two clean sheets in a row, which I don't think has been done this year. Two games unbeaten, four points from two games in four days and some positive performances from some individuals.

"It wasn't great but we've hit the crossbar, missed a couple of chances, and were by far the better team - so there are positives.

"I thought we did enough going forward. I don't know if our quality in the final third was probably where it should be, but to be fair I don't blame the players for that. I think the players have worked hard, I think they've struggled to play two games in four days - but we've got there.

"If you keep conceding goals you aren't going to get anywhere. We've limited two teams - admittedly one team at the bottom of the league - to very few chances in two home games in four days. We're going to have to get ourselves out of this bit by bit and building on two clean sheets is a positive."

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