Pompey depart Checkatrade Trophy

That’s after the Blues saw their chances of progressing out of the group stage thwarted by Yeovil’s 2-0 victory over Reading under-23s.

Pompey needed the Royals youngsters to win at the Madejski Stadium to stand any chance of making it out of Southern Group A but this evening’s result means the Blues and Bristol Rovers – who they beat 1-0 last night – both exit the Trophy, with Yeovil and Reading through.

In truth, few at Fratton Park will be too concerned by Paul Cook’s side’s venture in the much-maligned competition coming to an end as Pompey now concentrate their attentions fully on League Two promotion.

Mansfield visit the south coast on Saturday with the fifth-placed Blues keen to close a three-point gap to the automatic promotion places.