Marlon Pack: Portsmouth's promotion challenge will be scrutinised after rare defeat

Marlon Pack began his career with Portsmouth before rejoining 11 years later from Cardiff in June 2022

Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack says the League One leaders' promotion credentials will be "questioned" after defeat at Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

Pompey were beaten 2-1 by the Gas to suffer only their second league loss of the season.

The result cut Portsmouth's lead at the top to four points over Peterborough in second and third-placed Bolton.

"Obviously, there's stuff to work on but the message remains that we're in a fantastic position," Pack said.

Pompey's recent stutter has seen them pick up one point from the last two league games, having put together three wins in a row that had propelled John Mousinho's side seven points clear at the top.

They came into the Rovers match having seen two points slip away in the 1-1 draw against relegation candidates Fleetwood Town at Fratton Park three days earlier.

And Pack told BBC Radio Solent, that result may have been weighing on their minds.

"There was maybe a hangover feeling from Fleetwood," he said.

"For me, from the last two games, we've got to be a lot more clinical - in both boxes. But we created enough chances when we were on top to win the [Rovers] game."

'Questions will be asked'

Given how impressive Portsmouth have been so far this season, former Bristol City midfielder Pack says their recent dip is going to make some wonder about their ability to sustain their charge for promotion back to the Championship after more than a decade away from the second tier.

"When you're used to winning and winning well, it's a stinger [to lose to Rovers] especially for me and some of the other ex-Bristol City lads," he said.

"But we've got ourselves in a great position this season, we've just fallen short in some of the finer details and we know we can do better.

"Now there's going to be real questions asked of us and this is where you need to get together, it's a really tough period just because of the run of fixtures in such a short period.

"Mentally we've just got to get over this - when you haven't won in two that's when you show the togetherness and team spirit.

"It's not the end of the world but we need to put it right."

Portsmouth play their final game of 2023 at Exeter on Friday, 29 December.