Report by Ben Davis

For the Pompey fans who made the trip to Fratton Park this was their chance to show the nation how they felt about their club. The past week had been a shocking one. The entire squad were up for sale, Ball was stripped of power, and to top it all off chairman Martin Gregory had gone off on a skiing holiday (although it was later discovered that he was at home during this game).
The rest of the nation had no idea what was going on and perhaps didn't really care. That was until two peaceful pitch invasions at half-time and full-time. After the game every national paper, radio station and TV station had something about Pompey's sorry plight. It is likely that the club will be fined, but it will be the least of the worries in the fans minds who felt their feelings had to be demonstrated. It is likely that the protests will not end with a mass boycott expected for the Oxford Utd game on 28th December.
It was Alan Ball who had to ask the fans to go home, just like he did at Crystal Palace. Should Pompey get through all this he will surely join the legends of the city. He could easily walk away, but to his credit he too is prepared to battle for the club. Perhaps it was understandable that the players would be affected. It certainly showed as after Grimsby scored the decisive goal the heads dropped and the game was the least of their worries.
Gregory may have not been there but that didn't stop the banners being held aloft calling to him to quit such as the amusing 'Piste off Gregory' banner. Half the time was spent chanting for him to quit with the other half of the time spent cheering on the team.
Indeed after the first half there was hope. Much talked about striker John Aloisi went close three times, once with a long range effort, twice with close range headers which Davidson saved well.
At the other end Pompey's defending was not at it's best with Lee Nogen putting over free header when he was left totally unmarked in the box.
Then came the first pitch invasion. The stewards clearly had orders to prevent such an invasion as they wrestled some supporters to the ground. They gave up eventually when hundreds started to run on. There was no violence and at the end of the break they all walked back to their seats for the second half.
Maybe they shouldn't have as the second half was one of the most dullest halves I have witnessed. Pompey got in some decent chance creating positions but continually wasted them. Whilst players like Andy Awford were making schoolboy errors.
Awford clumsily allowed Nogen through on goal and the Grimsby man wasted another golden opportunity by dragging the shot wide. Strangely the skilful Peron went off for Simpson and the hardworking Claridge for Nightingale.
The only goal of the game came midway during the half. Smith's corner was easily met by Groves whose downward header flew past Petterson. The best chance for Pompey to equalise came when Aloisi's neat flick put Nightingale clear but Davidson spread himself well to block the shot.
The final whistle arrived with a sympathetic round of applause by the Pompey fans who could at least appreciate the pressure the players are under. The second pitch invasion lasted for 30 minutes until Ball came out to finish the day.
We now hear that John Westwood has been banned from going into Fratton Park ever again, how Gregory will regret that decision. The struggle on and off the pitch looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.