Rangers hit the front after only ten minutes through Leroy Griffiths. Back after yet another average loan spell he was well placed to tap into an empty goal following Walshe's left wing cross. The lead can't have lasted more than thirty seconds as Portsmouth drew level immediately.

Pompey winger Clark ran at Stamp in the box and he was harshly adjudged to have tripped him. Former Celtic man Mark Burchill tucked the penalty past Day. How pleased he must have been to have swapped Parkhead for Chestnut Avenue!

Rangers took the lead again on the half hour. Rangers were passing the ball well and a through ball seemed to have caught Leroy in an offside position. The linesman raised his flag and play went on. He kept the flag in the air and play went on. He got bored, put the flag down and almost immediately Craig McAllister, a player who appears to be on trial from Basingstoke Town, sent a screamer past Kawaguchi into the top corner.

Plummer went off at the break to be replaced by David Wattley. I assume this was for rest purposes as he had been excellent and kept Burchill under wraps the whole time. The second half was a more tempestuous affair than the first with some tasty challenges flying in.

Both Griffiths and McAllister wasted excellent one on one's against Kawaguchi and Daly, Gradley and Burgess all sent efforts into the car park. Pompey were awarded a second penalty as the game neared its conclusion. Burchill again took it but this time he sent a poor effort wide of Day's left hand post.

The game drew to a close with both sets of players snarling at each other. Well, mainly Murphy snarling at any Pompey player foolish enough to cross his path. He got involved in a confrontation with Barrett when he took umbrage with Wes Daly. Daly had just hit Pulis like a freight train and the Portsmouth players weren't impressed. It was a beauty though.

This was a very good performance from Rangers and the three points were well deserved. Performances of note came from Plummer, Ifura, Murphy, Daly and young midfielder Booles, even though he only lasted forty minutes. Chris Day had little to do but he was commanding throughout and he organised the team from back to front for the entire ninety minutes. McAllister looked a decent prospect and his goal would win goal of the month if any bugger had seen it. All in all this was a good game and much better than the normal fare we get served up at Northwood.