Northern Ireland international David Healy scored the only goal of the game to
give Preston victory at Fratton Park.
The former Manchester United striker notched his third goal of the season
after 25 minutes to end a run of five successive defeats for the visitors.
Lee Sharpe, who also made his name at Old Trafford, went close to giving the
home side the lead after a quarter-of-an-hour on his debut following his midweek
loan move from Bradford.
The 29-year-old winger's corner was headed back out to him, and he wasted no
time in steaming on to the loose ball to unleash a stinging half-volley which
Teuvo Moilanen did well to tip over.
Healy went close to breaking the deadlock himself two minutes later when he
attempted a clever chip after spotting Aaron Flahavan off his line, but his
effort sailed narrowly over.
But after 25 minutes David Moyes' side took the initiative when Rob Edwards
broke menacingly down the left flank.
Edwards fizzed a low cross into the heart of the Portsmouth area where Healy
dispatched his first-time volley past Flahavan.
But Portsmouth nearly snatched an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when
Darren Moore got the better of defender Colin Murdock to get on the end of
Sharpe's deep free-kick but failed to steer his shot on target.
Preston went close again early in the second half when Brian McBride went
racing clear of the Portsmouth defence - but Flahavan was equal to his low
strike.
Portsmouth started to get their passing game going, and player-manager Steve
Claridge did well to bring down Moore's cleverly weighted ball but was muscled
out by a resolute Preston back line.
Shaun Derry, who was booked in the first half, showed a cool head on 64
minutes when he arrived at the back post to meet another telling ball from
Sharpe. But his fierce volley was blocked for a corner by Gary Parkinson.
Pompey's efforts to find an equaliser were undermined when former Manchester
City striker Lee Bradbury was given his marching orders on 76 minutes when he
appeared to stamp on Murdock after the pair had clashed scrapping for
possession.
Nigel Quashie nearly stole a point for the home side after racing on to a ball
over the top from Michael Panopoulous - but as he closed in on goal Preston
captain Michael Jackson provided a crucial block.
Teams:
Portsmouth: Flahavan, Hiley, Moore, Crowe, Derry,
Miglioranzi (Thogersen 67), Sharpe (Rudonja 79), Quashie,
Panopoulos, Claridge, Bradbury.
Subs not used: Tardiff, Waterman, Nightingale.
Sent off: Bradbury (77).
Booked: Derry, Hiley.
Preston: Moilanen, Parkinson, Jackson, Murdock, Edwards,
Rankine, McKenna, Macken (Gunnlaugsson 84), Cartwright,
Healy (Barry-Murphy 71), McBride.
Subs not used: Lucas, Eaton, Anderson.
Goal: Healy 26.
Attendance: 13,331
Referee: F Stretton (Nottingham).
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