Frustrations at Fratton as poor Portsmouth drop into relegation zone after Bristol City defeat

Pompey dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season following a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.

Anis Mehmeti’s first-half header was enough for the play-off chasing Robins to snatch all three points at PO4 .

Despite a second-half resurgence, the Blues were unable to find that elusive equaliser, with the loss condemning them to a sixth defeat in eight Championship matches.

John Mousinho made three changes to the side, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United in midweek, with Jordan Williams, Callum Lang and Marlon Pack all coming into the starting XI.

But it was the visitors who shot out the blocks and were claiming for a penalty just 45 seconds into the contest. Scott Twine went down in the box after a challenge by Regan Poole, although replays showed no contract on the Robins forward, with Sam Allison waving away any appeals.

Struber’s side were rewarded for their early dominance and took the lead 17 minutes into the first-half. Neto Borges broke down the left before delivering a wonderful ball into the area, with Mehmeti heading home unchallenged in the box.

And it was the dangerous Robins forward who was causing Pompey the biggest issues and - five minutes later - had a brilliant opportunity to double the visitors’ lead.

The Albania international worked space on the edge of the box but his effort went just wide of the mark. Two minutes later, Emil Riis was another to test the Blues’ goal but had his strike well stopped by Nicolas Schmid, who went down to receive treatment.

That stoppage allowed Mousinho to make a couple of mid-game tweaks, which appeared to work, with the hosts growing into the game.

From then on, Pompey ended the opening 45 minutes the strongest as Josh Murphy caused the Robins’ defence issues. But the Blues’ best chance came on the stroke of half-time, with Josh Knight a wonderful headed opportunity from six-yards out.

Mousinho’s men looked to respond straight after the break and had a great chance just seconds into the second period. Dozzell put a lovely ball across the goal, which Bishop tried to bundle home off Zak Vyner, who was able to clear off the line.

The hosts started the second half the same as they ended the first as they went in search of a much-needed leveller.

Although there were very few chances, Murphy came closest to an equaliser when he tried a low-driven effort on the edge of the box, which shot just wide of the post.

Opportunities did come for the Blues, though, with substitute Makenzie Kirk meeting Marlon Pack’s trademark long throw into the box but his scuffed effort was safely claimed by Radek Vitek.

Mousinho rolled the dice with 12 minutes to go, making a triple change as well as an alteration in formation in a bid to find that elusive goal.

And those changes almost worked, with subsitute Conor Chaplin putting Bishop through behind Vyner, but the Magic Man couldn’t work his effort past Vitek.

Pompey didn’t let up and were relentless in their pursuit of an equaliser but did squander a late chance as Knight headed a golden opportunity wide of the mark once again.

But that was it for the Blues, who dropped into the Championship’s bottom three for the first time this season, with both Oxford United and Sheffield United picking up wins.