It just had to be him - Ricky Holmes came back to haunt his old team-mates as Pompey's unbeaten run ended after seven games.

The former Fratton winger scored the only goal midway through the first half on a night when Pompey couldn't find the form that carried them through February with four wins and two draws.

It was a lively opening 20 minutes in which both sides carved out chances but the Cobblers took the lead through Holmes' fine finish, which beat Paul Jones after the winger had been allowed too much time and space to break into the box and shoot.

Northampton were on top for a while but Matt Tubbs forced a point-blank save from home keeper Matt Duke.

The Cobblers were the stronger side after the break but Pompey livened up somewhat when Craig Westcarr and Andy Barcham came on.

The highlight of Pompey's night came with 12 minutes left when Wes Fogden made his long-awaited comeback after a knee injury. The low point, apart from the defeat, came late on when Ben Chorley was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Pompey: Jones; Devera, Robinson, Chorley; Passley (Westcarr 58), Atangana (Barcham 58), Wallace, Hollands, Butler (Fogden 78); Tubbs, Taylor. Subs not used: Poke, Webster, Ertl, Chaplin.

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 4,871 (798 Pompey fans)

Follow @Pompey_Fans

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls