Attendance: 7,215 (1,454 away supporters)

Cobblers: Max Thompson, Aaron McGowan, Jordan Willis (sub Jon Guthrie 46), Sam Sherring, Patrick Brough, Jack Sowerby (sub Will Hondermarck 77), Shaun McWilliams, Marc Leonard, Sam Hoskins, Kieron Bowie, Mitch Pinnock (sub Louis Appere 46)
Subs not used: James Dadge, Tyreece Simpson, Ryan Haynes, Manny Monthe

Portsmouth: Will Norris, Marlon Pack, Alex Robertson (sub Ben Stevenson 84), Christian Saydee (sub Terry Devlin 72), Joe Rafferty, Conor Shaughnessy, Kusini Yengi, Sean Raggett, Jack Sparkes, Abu Kamara (sub Gavin Whyte 90), Paddy Lane (sub Josh Martin 84)
Subs not used: Zak Swanson, Ryley Towler, Ryan Schofield

Referee: Darren Drysdale

Booked:
Cobblers: Kieron Bowie (47)
Portsmouth: Will Norris (22)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Portsmouth: none

Patrick Brough came back into the side for the visit of joint league leaders Portsmouth, replacing the suspended Akin Odimayo. Jon Guthrie was named on the bench as the club continued to manage the skipper’s return to fitness.

There was a bumper crowd at a chilly Sixfields and despite the freezing temperatures the pitch was in excellent condition. Mitch Pinnock and Sam Hoskins both worked Will Norris in the opening ten minutes before Portsmouth made the breakthrough, Sean Raggett heading home from a corner.

Kusini Yengi rattled the cross bar as Pompey went close to doubling their lead but after Kieron Bowie had dragged a shot wide Paddy Lane did make it 2-0, the midfielder running onto a ball over the top and firing past Max Thompson.

Bowie headed wide from a Hoskins cross as the Cobblers looked to get on the scoresheet before half-time but Pompey went in at the break with their two goal lead intact.

Jon Guthrie and Louis Appere came on in a double change at half-time but three minutes into the second half Portsmouth were 3-0 up, Paddy Lane in the right place at the right time to finish at the back post.

Hoskins drew a good save from Norris while presented with a chance to complete his hat-trick Lane shot straight at Thompson.

Despite the scoreline the Cobblers kept going, and Appere headed a chance wide in stoppage time. The afternoon though belonged to Portsmouth who reclaimed top spot in Sky Bet League 1.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (0) 0
FOULS: (3) 6
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0

PORTSMOUTH MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 6
CORNERS: (4) 8
FOULS: (3) 6
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0