Portsmouth 0-1 Bristol City: Robins go fourth in Championship

There was symmetry to a contest that featured hosts going into the game a point and a place outside the relegation zone and visitors who started a point and a place outside the top six.

Yet there was little balance on the field in an opening half that saw Bristol City charge out of the blocks and Pompey struggle to get any sort of a foothold.

Bristol City might have had a penalty with just 45 seconds on the clock only for claims to be waved away after Scott Twine tumbled over Regan Poole’s leg as the pair challenged for a loose ball inside the area.

Replays showed referee Sam Allison was correct in deciding there was minimal contact as the Bristol City man was already on his way down.

The away fans did not have to wait long for their side to make good on that early promise though. Just 17 minutes were on the clock when Mehmeti proved the spear tip of a flowing move which started in the Bristol City backline and swept up field.

Neto Borges provided the assist on the left, swinging in a perfectly flighted cross which was met by the 24-year-old.

Pompey’s sluggish start did not go down well with the home support who let the blue shirts know what they thought as Gerhard Struber’s side continued to dominate.

Emil Riis forced a decent save with a long-range effort leading to further boos among the Pompey faithful.

Yet, with Josh Murphy a constant threat down the left, Portsmouth managed to get a toehold in the contest as the match moved towards the break and in the second half it was an even contest.

In the opening minute, Colby Bishop saw a bundled effort cleared off the line by Zak Vyner, while Murphy and Poole both had chances late on as Portsmouth pressed in vain.

Bishop had the best chance of the lot only for his first-time effort to be smothered by Radek Vitek after he was put through by Conor Chaplin on 85 minutes.

Bristol City were made to fight hard for victory in the end but hung on for a second win in their last three matches to breathe life into a promotion push which had shown signs of flatlining.