Portsmouth vs Rochdale. Sky Bet League One.
Fratton ParkAttendance17,600.
Friday 28 February 2020 23:01, UK
Promotion-chasing Portsmouth made it 10 home wins in a row, with a 3-0 victory over Rochdale seeing them climb to third in the Sky Bet League One table.
The promotion hopefuls brushed aside the Fratton Park visitors with goals from Ryan Williams, Steve Seddon and Christian Burgess.
Pompey broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Ronan Curtis crossed from the left to find the head of Burgess and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez could only parry to the feet of Williams, who smashed home from close range.
Nine minutes after the restart Ian Henderson came close to equalising when his 25-yard effort smacked against the angle of post and crossbar.
Keeper Alex Bass then tipped Matty Lund's goalbound header over the bar as the visitors again threatened an equaliser.
However, substitute Seddon gave the hosts breathing space in the 78th minute when he drove home a superb first-time shot from outside the area.
With six minutes remaining Burgess put a flattering gloss on the win by heading in Seddon's free-kick.
The result leaves Portsmouth third in the table, two points behind the top two. Rochdale stay in 19th.
