Portsmouth 1-2 Notts County
Two brilliantly-taken Adam Campbell goals secured victory for Notts County at Portsmouth's Fratton Park this afternoon.
Campbell gave County the lead with a magnificent curling effort before Pompey equalised through Conor Chaplin.
But, with 20 minutes remaining, Campbell's neat finish handed Notts all three points - despite John Sheridan's men finishing the match with ten men after Aaron Collins was red-carded.
Sheridan made changes to the team that drew against Crewe Alexandra last weekend. Two were forced - the injured Jon Stead and Thierry Audel making way for Carl Dickinson and Aaron Collins.
Haydn Hollis also replaced Alex Rodman, who took his place on the substitutes' bench alongside the likes of Michael O'Connor, Alan Smith and Mike Edwards.
Notts started the game brightly and claimed the first shot of the match with less than a minute on the clock. Campbell saw his goalbound effort blocked and the ball looped up for Rob Milsom, whose header from ten yards was straight at goalkeeper David Forde.
Pompey soon asserted their home authority, however, and should have taken the lead on five minutes when Chaplin volleyed the ball wide from six yards after meeting Enda Stevens' excellent cross from the left.
The home side looked dangerous but Notts also showed their threat on eight minutes. Dickinson released Jonathan Forte down the left, who cut into the area and rolled the ball to the edge of the area for the onrushing Rob Milsom, who skimmed the top of the bar with a side-footed shot.
It was certainly a lively start and, shortly after Milsom had gone a whisker away from taking the lead, Pompey were left to rue some excellent work from Notts keeper Adam Collin.
Louis Laing misjudged a long ball over the top, allowing Chaplin to run through on goal. Collin stood firm to make an excellent low save and Chaplin slipped on the follow up. It looked like the danger was over but Jordan Richards dallied on the edge of his own area, allowing Carl Baker to nip in and work room for a shot from a narrow angle. Collin was again on hand to save low down.
And relief turned to joy on 21 minutes when Notts scored the opening goal in sensational style. Richard Duffy's long ball over the top caught the Pompey defence off-guard and Campbell slipped in round the back. His first touch, near the penalty spot, took the ball back to the edge of the area, leaving Portsmouth's defenders wrong-footed. Campbell scampered to the ball and, in one gracious movement, curled it into the top corner on the swivel.
Notts' happiness was short-lived, however, as the home side restored parity six minutes later. Experienced campaigner Gary Roberts managed to squeeze his way to the byline to cross for Chaplin to tap the ball into an empty net.
Shortly afterwards, another cross from the left caused problems but Notts were able to block Roberts' shot.
Half-chances followed for both sides, Pompey's Kyle Bennett lashing the ball over from 20 yards before Campbell blazed it high and wide for Notts with a long-range free-kick.
With half-time looming, both keepers were then called upon to make simple saves - Collin collecting Baker's effort before Collins' cross-cum-shot was easily held by Forde at his post.
The two sides emerged for the second half unchanged and, shortly after the restart, Laing found himself in the book after remonstrating with the referee.
Pompey missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead on 56 minutes when Bennett could only head the ball wide from Chaplin's pinpoint cross.
But, as the second half wore on, Notts were looking more defensively assured, frustrating their hosts.
And on 71 minutes Campbell hit Pompey with another sucker punch. Notts capitalised on the space vacated by Tom Davies, who went down holding his shoulder. Forte could have shot with his left foot but spotted Campbell's run to the penalty spot, supplying him with an inch-perfect pass. The former Newcastle man took the ball in his stride beautifully and managed to curl it low beyond Forde, who was off his line quickly.
Portsmouth skipper Michael Doyle was booked for deliberate hand ball shortly afterwards as Notts pressed forward for a third goal.
But referee Nigel Miller had a much bigger call to make shortly afterwards when, after desperately trying to close down Pompey keeper Forde, the referee's assistant flagged to say Collins made contact with his lunge. Mr Miller showed the Wolves loanee a straight red card.
A nervy finale awaited. Pompey substitute Curtis Main headed the ball powerfully at Collin, before the keeper palmed away Roberts' low effort.
Campbell had the chance to round off the result with his hat-trick, carrying the ball into Pompey's area only to let it run away from him at the crucial moment.
That was Campbell's last action as he came off for Alan Smith. Rodman also replaced Forte shortly before six minutes were added on.
Baker twice went close to equalising for Pompey, drawing an excellent save from Collin before curling the ball over from the resultant corner.
Roberts also had a go, firing the ball low across goal and wide of the far post.
But Notts held on to record another impressive victory on the road.
Attendance: 17,269 (364 away)
