Report by Ben Davis

Pompey fell into the relegation zone after losing to new league boys Stockport and also that results went against them, but at one point before the game there was speculation whether it would go ahead or not. Members of the Pompey squad were hit by a virus so it meant Fenwick had to change the team.
Russell, Igoe and Waterman were three of the players affected although the others who were also affected recovered sufficiently to start. McLoughlin returned in midfield with Thomson and Awford starting in defence with Cook making a rare appearance at left back. On the bench was youth team captain David Wright, Aussie teenage striker Paul Harries and Jimmy Carter.
Stockport are in a rich vain of form and pulled off a fine in at Charlton the week before and their confidence was there to be seen as they put Pompey on the back-foot right from the start. The visitors held out but after seven minutes they fell behind gifting Stockport a goal. Talented youngster Armstrong charged down the left beating Pethick and putting in a dangerous cross which Flahavan couldn't claim. Cook and Cooper ran in at the far post with the Pompey player crashing a head past Flahavan.
Minutes later Armstrong was through with the offside flag rescuing Pompey what could have ended in another goal. Stockport's new manager Megson though was not impressed by the decision. He may well have been worrying when the influential Marsden clashed heads with Hillier which gave Pompey some breathing space after defending for much of the early stages of the game.
Aloisi, who has played well in recent matches without any reward, was then brought to the ground by Woodthorpe after the Aussie had tricked the left-back. Turner's cross from the free-kick was only cleared as far as Hillier who chipped it back into the area towards Durnin. He met it with a great volley which was matched with an equally great save from Nixon. The former Tranmere keeper somehow clawed the ball out from just inside the foot of his left hand post. The parry looped up to Durnin but this time his head lack the power to trouble Stockport.
Pompey were then forced to defend again and Flahavan did well to quickly catch the ball from a Connelly cross which was flicked on by Bennett. Angell though went in very late on the keeper which didn't go down well with the Pompey defenders who were livid with the challenge. Perrett then made a fine tackle on Armstrong when Gannon tired to slip the striker through on goal.
In the 35th minute the impressive Cooper beat Cook down the right and put in a put an excellent low cross which Marsden managed to miss from five yards with an open goal in front of him. Cooper's trickery forced Thomson into bringing him down which resulted in a yellow card for the defender. From the free-kick Dinning headed Bennett's cross wide, but it was another indication of the home sides superiority in the air.
A quick counter attack by Pompey ended with Pethick testing Nixon from 25-yards and that was really as far as they got attacking wise. Already this season Pompey have been guilty of conceding goals near to half-time and sure enough they did it again. Armstrong won another airial battle heading the ball out to Gannon on the right and his cross along the six yard line was turned in by Angell.
It could well have been all over just after half-time when after Bennett's shot was blocked by Cook Flahavan made a fine save on the line from Angell's shot. With the home side looking very comfortable Fenwick brought on Carter to see if his skilful attacking play could bring Pompey back into the game.
The pattern of play suddenly changed with Pompey looking the more dangerous side. A McLoughlin corner was flicked on by Perrett to Carter who played it back into the six-yard box where Nixon brilliantly saved Thomson's header.
The keeper though then got himself booked when he came out of his area to bring down Aloisi, but he redeemed himself to tip Pethick's shot around the post from the free-kick. The Aussie striker was certainly causing the Stockport defence a number of problems and he was certain he had won a penalty when Dinning brought him down in the area. The referee though gave nothing to the disgust of the Pompey bench.
After 67 minutes Harries came on for Turner giving the youngster the opportunity to show what he could do. His presence kept Stockport pushed back and a sustained spell of pressure was rewarded with a goal. A cross by Carter was aimed towards Thomson and although he missed it Aloisi stole in to score from close range. It was a much needed goal although it is one which will make the fans wonder why Carter hasn't been playing recently.
Flahavan though continued his excellent form in Pompey's goal by making more great saves from Armstrong and Dinning as Stockport looked to hit their guests on the break. Harries debut was blotted when he got booked for a foul on McIntosh and minutes later Woodthorpe clattered into Aloisi which earned him a yellow card.
Time though was running out and with Pompey committed to attack the risk of Stockport scoring on the break was always there and in the final minute they wrapped up the game. Cooper ended an impressive game by supplying a cross which Angell directed past Flahavan. The former Pompey apprentice would have been delighted in scoring two past the club which rejected him at the start of his career.
Pompey's fifth straight defeat leaves them in a very unhealthy position although the fans must remember that Fenwick had his hands severely tied behind his back for this game. With Svensson and Whitbread out for a least another four weeks, maybe lass in Whitbread's case, and Hall and Simpson spending their time mostly with Jamaica, Pompey may well continue to struggle.