After securing progress in two cup competitions, Pompey switch their focus back to League One matters when they visit Morecambe on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Danny Cowley’s fifth-placed side are attempting to narrow the 10-point gap to second spot, knowing they hold two games in hand on all the clubs above them. Their next opponents are eager for positive results for an altogether different reason, as they try to escape the drop zone. Derek Adams’ Lancaster outfit are in 22nd position, but have collected four points from their two most recent home games against Barnsley and Derby. The past week, however, has seen them dumped out of the FA Cup at Sheffield Wednesday and the Carabao Cup at MK Dons. It comes after they only escaped making an immediate drop back into the basement on the final day of last season. Pompey head north looking for their first ever victory at the Mazuma Stadium at the sixth time of asking. They came close to breaking their duck last term, but Jonah Ayunga struck deep into stoppage-time to cancel out Sean Raggett’s fine opener. TEAM NEWS Marlon Pack could return to the midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Owen Dale and Dane Scarlett are back in contention having been ineligible for the FA Cup trip to Hereford. Michael Jacobs (hamstring), Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) remain on the injury list, while Ronan Curtis (ankle) is a doubt. Courtney Duffus and Ash Hunter are both long-term absentees for Morecambe, with the game coming too soon for Donald Love, Shane McLoughlin, Max Melbourne and Jake Taylor. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 3 wins Morecambe 2 wins 5 draws On the road Pompey: 0 wins Morecambe: 2 wins 3 draws TICKETS Pompey fans are able to secure tickets at Morecambe on the day of the game. Click here for more details. OFFICIALS Referee: Adam Herczeg Assistants: Abbas Khan and Oliver Bickle Fourth Official: Anthony Moore MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online). BETTING Pompey are the 4/6 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 4/1.
Morecambe are unhappy not to be awarded a free-kick when Watts goes down under pressure from Conor Ogilvie. Derek Adams, in particular, is furious - serves him right, the 'orrible little git !!
Attempt missed. Owen Dale (Portsmouth) header from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Connor Ogilvie with a cross. 7th minute.
It sounds like skipper Clark Robertson may have picked up an achilles injury following a heavy challenge by Bedeau
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Morecambe ..............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 44% Away 56% Shots: Home 6 Away 7 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 2 Corners: Home 2 Away 5 Fouls: Home 7 Away 5
Clark Robertson off injured, with Conor Ogilvie moving to centre half, and Denver Hume on at left back. Second half kicks off.
Attempt blocked. Dane Scarlett (Portsmouth) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. 58 minutes.
Attempt blocked. Colby Bishop (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dane Scarlett. 60 minutes.
1-1 now (at last!) with a goal from top scorer Colby Bishop. Assisted by Zak Swanson with a headed pass. 67 minutes.
