Newport County 0-1 Portsmouth

Portsmouth's Matt Tubbs celebrates his goal with creator Kyle Bennett

Portsmouth won for the fifth time away from home this season to consign bottom club Newport to their ninth defeat.

Matt Tubbs scored the decisive goal, and his sixth this season, in first-half stoppage time when he converted Kyle Bennett's pass from eight yards.

Newport's Lenell John-Lewis had a header ruled out for a foul in the build-up but the home side struggled to create any meaningful chances.

Tubbs had chances to score again but one proved enough for the three points.

Newport County manager John Sheridan told BBC Radio Wales:

"There was nothing between the sides in the first half, I was happy with the way things were going.

"The difference was the naivety of some of our play at times, just giving the ball away when we had good position and making ourselves vulnerable.

"They had the players who didn't ignore the simple things, which makes good players. But our work-rate was really good."

Portsmouth manager Paul Cook told BBC Radio Solent:

"I'm pleased with the win, not pleased with the performance. I didn't think we played very well. I thought we were very fortunate to go in 1-0 at half time. I thought we were very sloppy in the first half.

"It was nice to keep a clean sheet today, some of the goals we have conceded have disappointed me.

"We missed Garrett Evans' energy today and that was there for all to see. We are just hoping to put a performance together that everyone can be proud of, but at the moment we are just like a stuttering engine, we are just not firing."