Colby Bishop’s second half double saw Sky Bet League One leaders Portsmouth extend their unbeaten run to 23 games with a 2-0 win over Port Vale.

Pompey’s first half performance did not reflect their lofty league position as Vale had by far the better of the play at Fratton Park.

The visitors could have taken the lead in the fifth minute but Funso Ojo could only hit the post from 18 yards.

Ojo had another chance which went straight to Will Norris, James Plant shot wide when clear, and Ben Garrity headed over from close range.

Pompey’s only first half effort was a header from an unmarked Paddy Lane, which went wide.

However the hosts came out fighting in the second half and took the lead in the 53rd minute when Bishop tapped in from close range after a fierce Joe Rafferty cross-shot.

They doubled their lead five minutes later when a penalty given for handball by Kofi Balmer was converted by Bishop.

Boss John Mousinho refused to get too carried away despite Portsmouth extending their unbeaten run to 21 matches thanks to a 2-1 Sky Bet League One victory at 10-man Wigan.

The Latics took the lead through Martial Godo but two goals in the space of six minutes just before half-time from Regan Poole and Paddy Lane were enough to secure the win for Pompey.

Wigan had to play for 41 minutes with 10 men after Charlie Wyke was sent off for a lunge on Marlon Pack but they kept pushing to the end.

But Pompey kept them at arm’s length to cement their position at the top of the table.

“It’s not about the unbeaten run today, it’s just about the result,” said Mousinho. “I’m absolutely thrilled to come away to a place like this and win.

“They are a very decent, very decent side, and I thought they showed that in the first half.

“They’ve beaten some very good sides this year and I’m absolutely delighted with the result.

“They were a Championship side last season and have still got some fantastic players.

“You know you’re going to go behind in some games, not everything is going to go your way. It’s going to happen when you’re playing at this level against good sides.

“But the good thing about this group is how well they respond to adversity and that’s exactly how it was today.

“It’s always difficult when you go behind to a good side, in front of a bumper crowd here, but it felt like even though we went behind, there was no panic.

“I always felt we would get back into it and we managed to do that.”

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney refused to point the finger at referee Will Finnie, whose decision to red card Wyke led to a commotion in the technical area that saw Latics No 2 Graham Barrow yellow-carded along with Portsmouth counterpart Jon Harley.

“Look, it wasn’t a great tackle and it gives the referee a decision to make,” he said. “I can understand why the referee has made the decision.”

Wigan also had a hat-trick of penalty shouts turned down, with Maloney adding: “I haven’t seen the ones with Thelo (Aasgaard) and Charlie (Wyke) in the box, I’ve only seen the handball.

“Yeah, look, I think the referee has probably got that one wrong, in my opinion.

“But I don’t complain about referees too much, these things happen, you can’t change what’s happened.

“We knew it was going to be a big fight with 10 men and I thought we did that, even with 10 men, we continued to take the game to them.

“There’s ways to lose games…last weekend (after the 4-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers), I felt completely differently.

“We just have to improve how we defend the box because we made it far too easy for them to score – especially considering how good our goal was.

“But the effort the team gave, and the quality they tried to bring with 10 men, I feel very different this weekend to last weekend.”

Manager John Mousinho hailed Portsmouth’s first-half showing against Barnsley as one of the best displays since he took charge after they clung on for a 3-2 win at Oakwell.

Colby Bishop, Paddy Lane and Connor Ogilvie all struck inside 16 minutes as the Blues made a dream start before second-half strikes from Barry Cotter and Callum Styles led to a tense finish.

However, Pompey held on for the win to go top of Sky Bet League One.

Asked if the first half was one of the best performances since he took over, Mousinho said: “It definitely was.

“We started on the front foot, we got the goals we deserved – the only thing that was lacking was the fourth or fifth goal that we definitely could have got.

“It’s one of the big areas of improvement for us to make sure we put games like this to bed because you saw second half that they come out, they make the changes and the whole game transforms.

“I thought we started to make poor decisions at certain moments.”

Mousinho’s side are now 19 games unbeaten in the league stretching back to March, a run which was preserved by Bishop’s stoppage-time equaliser at Derby on Saturday.

“I’m absolutely delighted – if you’d offered me four points from these two games I’d have snapped your hand off,” Mousinho added. “Being top is a bonus at this stage of the season.

“You saw the quality Barnsley have; they’ve won 7-0 here, they’ve won four on the spin without conceding and to do that to them, I’m really delighted.”

Pompey had already gone close twice when they were awarded an eighth-minute penalty.

Lane beat two players before feeding the ball to Gavin Whyte on the right and Bishop’s attempt to convert his low centre saw him fouled by Barnsley keeper Liam Roberts.

Bishop converted the spot-kick and 30 seconds later the visitors doubled their lead when the former Accrington striker’s flick-on found Lane and he calmly finished.

Ogilvie added the third when he headed home Joe Morrell’s cross from the right after 16 minutes.

Having failed to mount an attack of note before the break, Barnsley pulled one back just four minutes after the restart when half-time substitute Sam Cosgrove found Cotter, who drilled a low finish past Will Norris.

The hosts scored again with 13 minutes left when Norris fumbled Styles’ header and the ball trickled over the line.

Barnsley boss Neill Collins said: “I think I’d say that it’s important we don’t take anything out of proportion – I say that about both halves.

“The first goal really affected us because within a minute you’re 2-0 down.

“You can’t start a game like that but lots of positives and we went right to the very end; we could have been sitting here with a point.”

A blistering start helped Portsmouth secure a 3-2 win over Barnsley at Oakwell that sent them top of Sky Bet League One.

Colby Bishop, Paddy Lane and Connor Ogilvie gave the Blues a dream start before second-half strikes from Barry Cotter and Callum Styles led to a tense finish.

Gavin Whyte had already seen a first-minute effort deflected wide and Bishop had headed over the bar before Pompey were awarded an eighth-minute penalty.

Lane beat two players before feeding the ball to Northern Ireland winger Whyte on the right and Bishop’s attempt to convert his low centre saw him fouled by Barnsley keeper Liam Roberts.

Bishop converted the spot-kick and 30 seconds later the visitors doubled their lead when the former Accrington striker’s flick-on found Lane and he calmly finished.

Ogilvie added the third when he headed home Joe Morrell’s cross from the right after 16 minutes.

Having failed to mount an attack of note before the break, Barnsley pulled one back just four minutes after the restart when half-time substitute Sam Cosgrove found Cotter, who drilled a low finish past Will Norris.

The hosts scored again with 13 minutes left when Norris fumbled Callum Styles’ header and the ball trickled over the line but despite a spell of late pressure they could not find an equaliser.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho refused to blame Joe Morrell and Abu Kamara after their missed penalties sent his side crashing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of 10-man League One rivals Peterborough.

Kamara had the chance to send Pompey into round three but blazed his penalty over the bar before Wales international Morrell sent his crashing against the post as Posh triumphed 5-4 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Mousinho said: “I have no problem with that, I’ve been in those situations, it’s really difficult and you have to have a lot of steel to step up and take one.

“We’re obviously disappointed at not getting through to the next round.

“We had plenty of chances but couldn’t put them away.

“Christian Saydee was excellent tonight. A massive presence and a thorn in their side throughout and I was delighted he got the goal.”

Posh took the lead after 29 minutes when an in-swinging corner caused Pompey problems and David Ajiboye bundled the ball home from close range.

It took only six minutes of the second half for Pompey to equalise as a cross from Paddy Lane fell to Saydee who, with his back to goal, swivelled to fire superbly past goalkeeper Fynn Talley.

Peterborough’s Charlie O’Connell saw red after a second yellow card for a foul on Terry Devlin in the 59th minute, having already been booked for kicking the ball away in the first half.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said: “I was so proud of the team tonight. They’ve brought on half the team who will start on Saturday, we’ve gone down to 10 men and we’ve managed to dig it out.

“If we had lost in the last minute or on penalties, I would have still been proud of them. They gave everything.

“This was as important a game as any other game this season. I need to see who can step up to the first team and there were some good performances out there tonight.

“We scored a really good goal, had other chances and should have had a penalty as well.”

Joe Morrell and Abu Kamara missed their spot-kicks as Portsmouth lost 5-4 on penalties to Peterborough after a 1-1 draw in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Kamara had the chance to send Pompey through after Ryan De Havilland had seen his penalty saved by Ryan Schofield but blazed into the stands.

Wales midfielder Morrell then crashed his effort against a post before David Ajiboye stepped up to win it for 10-man Posh.

Pompey had the first effort after five minutes as a solid strike from Terry Devlin was deflected over for a corner, whilst at the other end Ajiboye tested Schofield from distance.

Posh took the lead after 29 minutes when an in-swinging corner caused problems and Ajiboye bundled the ball home from close range.

It took only six minutes of the second half for Pompey to equalise as a cross from Paddy Lane fell to Christian Saydee who, with his back to goal, swivelled to beat James Dornelly and goalkeeper Fynn Talley.

Peterborough’s Charlie O’Connell saw red after a second yellow card for a foul on Terry Devlin in the 59th minute, having already been booked for kicking the ball away in the first half.

Portsmouth threw everything at Peterborough’s 10 men and substitute Colby Bishop should have won it but failed to convert from point-blank range and it was the visitors who prevailed on penalties.

John Mousinho slammed the decision to send off Portsmouth’s Joe Rafferty and Stevenage’s Jake Forster-Caskey after a feisty 0-0 draw at the Lamex Stadium.

The two players were shown red by referee Simon Mather when a 50-50 challenge seemed to spark a skirmish on the floor during the second half of the League One clash.

Jordan Roberts came closest to scoring when the Boro forward hit the post from outside the box late in the first period.

“I think it was bizarre,” said Mousinho.

“We have just watched it back there, there is nothing in it.

“Rafferty and the lad on the floor have a little coming together, the referee does not deal with it and decides to send both players off.

“I just thought, from what I could see, the Stevenage player did not do anything to Rafferty or vice versa.

“Honestly, I don’t know, I think both players were really shocked.

“I just spoke to Rafferty there, he said there was nothing in it, so a bit of a strange one.

“It was a tough game to assess I think, it was another bizarre afternoon of football ruined by things that happened off the pitch.

“We are disappointed to come away with another draw, this is a really tough place to come, Stevenage are very well organised and good at what they do.

“We really opened them up towards the end, it was a very strange last half-hour because of the sendings-off.”

However, Boro boss Steve Evans insists the sending-off swung the match in Pompey’s favour.

“That changed the momentum a little because we were so far on top at that stage,” said Evans.

“That probably helped the Pompey lads a little bit more than us.

“I 100 per cent did not see it, if I saw it and my player was out of order then I would say it.

“I think they are under huge pressure aren’t they, we are under our own pressure.

“This is Portsmouth Football Club, look at the support they bring and the press coverage they demand because they are such a great club.

“I think John is a good young manager but he will learn along the way, won’t he?

“We will take the point; we will regroup, and we will go again.

“I don’t think there was a lot to split the teams at the end if you take the whole 90 minutes in.

“I think everyone will go home and say they will take the point, a hard-earned point.

“I think if you listen to every pundit and press report coming into the game, you would have thought it was lambs to the slaughter today, but little lambs bite sometimes.”

John Mousinho called on his Portsmouth team to be more ruthless after seeing them beat Exeter 1-0 at Fratton Park.

Colby Bishop’s second-half strike was enough to settle a keenly contested game.

Mousinho said: “I thought we were excellent in the first half. The only thing we didn’t do was put the ball in the back of the net.

“It was a different story in the second half. Exeter made some changes which I thought would leave them a bit exposed in places for the counter-attack.

“If I could criticise anything, it’s that we need to take our chances. We had some good opportunities up to and after the goal.

“We also have to learn to manage the game better. We didn’t do that particularly well in the last 10 minutes.

“We made some rash decisions and although we are a youngish team, I think we’ve got enough experience on the pitch to deal with it.

“Having said that, it was a well-deserved win off the back of a totally different game at the weekend. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

With both sides coming into the game unbeaten, it was Bishop who ended Exeter’s run with the only goal 20 minutes from time.

He rifled home from just inside the box after picking up substitute Jack Sparkes’ pass with his back to goal.

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell said: “We weren’t ourselves in possession tonight. We can play much better but, having said that, in the first half, we were dogged and resilient and defended the box very well.

“We improved in the second half. Most of the chances were from set pieces and I thought those chances were better than our overall performance.

“It’s a newly formed squad, we’re still developing in terms of partnerships, have come to a big stadium for the first time and we have to learn from experience.

“We didn’t make good decisions throughout the game. We kicked long when we could have played out and played out when we should have played long. We’ll analyse it as a group but I want them to be braver, to be a team.

“Their keeper has made some good saves and sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Even when we are not at our best, our set-pieces cause teams problems.”

Colby Bishop scored his second goal of the season to fire Portsmouth to a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Exeter.

With both sides coming into the game unbeaten, it was Bishop who ended Exeter’s run with the only goal 20 minutes from time.

Bishop rifled home from just inside the box after picking up substitute Jack Sparkes’ pass with his back to goal.

It took until the 29th minute for Pompey to produce the first effort on goal from either team as Alex Robertson forced goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo to palm away from 20 yards.

Further efforts from Exeter’s Dion Rankine and Pompey’s Connor Ogilvie and Robertson failed to break the deadlock.

In what turned out to be a pulsating second half, it was Exeter who nearly opened the scoring after 63 minutes but Zak Jules headed straight into Will Norris’ arms.

Exeter had two golden chances to snatch a point when captain Will Aimson headed over from two yards out before Pierce Sweeney’s header forced a brilliant save from Norris.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho believes there is still room for improvement with his side despite a comprehensive 4-0 away win at League One newcomers Leyton Orient.

The visitors bossed the show with Marlon Pack breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes before Colby Bishop doubled the advantage.

Six minutes after the interval, Orient skipper Omar Beckles turned Gavin Whyte’s teasing cross past his own keeper and then in added time, Kusini Yengi slotted home a penalty to complete the rout.

“I thought the second half was really good and we were excellent in the way we saw the game out and very professional in terms of getting the third and fourth goal to kill the game,” Mousinho said.

“I don’t like to be too critical but the players came in at half-time and it was case that everyone knew it wasn’t good enough. We were two-nil up off the back of being a bit sloppy.

“I thought we looked a bit leggy to be honest and I wondered if it was because we didn’t travel overnight for the first time but I thought we were a bit fortunate with that scoreline at half-time.

“But full credit to the lads for the effort and shift they put in second half they were absolutely excellent.

“There could have been more in the second half but that’s not a disappointing thing because in that part atmosphere the players stuck to their jobs and made it comfortable for us.

“Our job is to make sure we don’t get carried away and have to keep our feet on the ground but I don’t want to dampen anything down because that was a really good four-nil victory.”

Richie Wellens admitted his Orient side, who were experiencing League One football for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign, lacked the experience of competing at the higher level.

“I thought first half we were probably the better team,” he said.

“The reason they won the game was because of experienced players who have played at this level who did the basics right. They never wowed us but they defend the box well and they attack balls at the other end.

“We need to be better in the box because we didn’t defend it well.

“First half I thought we should have had more shots. We conceded from set plays and it’s something we need to work on.

“Sol Brynn (goalkeeper) got injured yesterday and potentially it could be a bad one. The squad is now looking threadbare because we have some good players in the treatment room.

“We’ve had little things go against but the positives are Max Sanders came on, we got another 70 minutes out of Joe Piggott but the third goal was the killer.

“It’s been a tough start not necessarily the results but we are lacking.”

Portsmouth served notice of intent with a 4-0 away win at newly-promoted Leyton Orient.

First-half goals by Marlon Pack and Colby Bishop, an own goal after the break by Orient’s Omar Beckles and a penalty in added time by Kusini Vengi sunk the home side.

Pompey ran the show handing out a harsh lesson to their hosts in the standard of higher-sphere football.

The visitors went in front after 23 minutes when Pack met a corner, the first of the game, and saw his effort roll gently into the net off the inside of a post.

Christian Saydee and Colby Bishop both went close before the latter doubled the lead on 44 minutes. Man of the match Gavin Whyte sent in a cross from wide on the right,  Orient debutant keeper Sam Howes hesitated allowing the unchallenged Bishop to head into the net.

Orient’s plight increased on 51 minutes when Whyte sent in a teasing cross that Orient skipper Beckles turned past Howes.

Then three minutes into added time, Vengi stepped forward to convert a penalty after being fouled by Beckles.

John Mousinho says Kusini Yengi is quickly becoming a “fan favourite” as he netted a brace as Portsmouth progressed 3-1 in the Carabao Cup first round.

His double alongside a Zak Swanson strike saw Pompey overcome Sky Bet League Two opponents Forest Green at The Bolt New Lawn.

“He’s quickly becoming a fan favourite and overall I’m really pleased with Kasini, especially his physical presence up front,” said the Pompey boss.

“He probably had four or five good chances, one in the first half which I think he’ll be upset he hasn’t put away, and a brilliant save from his header.

“His work rate, how he held the ball up, and ultimately putting the ball into the back of the net means really good things for him.

Rovers took the lead through Tyrese Omotoye’s first goal for the club but they failed to capitalise on their lead as League One club Pompey replied with three unanswered goals.

Australian forward Yengi bundled home an equaliser following an Anthony Scully corner before the break.

The turnaround was complete as Swanson gave the visitors the lead as he fired past Searle from a tight angle down Pompey’s right side.

Yengi added Pompey’s third from the penalty as Kamara was upended by Rovers full-back Jamie Robson.

Forest Green head coach David Horseman said: “We gave a really strong League One team a good game, we managed to look at some players we haven’t seen in the building yet.

“The goals were really soft, but we’ll pick those up. For 60 minutes, we looked a really good team.

“There’s a lot to work with and hopefully people around the ground notice how much progress we’re making in such a short space of time.

“I’m pleased for Tyrese because he’s put in a lot of work but things aren’t quite going for us at the moment.”

Kusini Yengi made it three goals in four days as he guided Portsmouth to a comeback 3-1 win against Forest Green in the Carabao Cup’s first round.

His brace, coupled with a Zak Swanson strike, saw Pompey overcome their Sky Bet League Two opponents at The Bolt New Lawn.

Tyrese Omotoye scored his first goal for Forest Green to open his account for Rovers.

Rovers stopper Jamie Searle had to react quickly to repel Yengi’s fine downward header from an Anthony Scully header early on.

Rovers took the lead with a fine strike by Omotoye, found by Teddy Jenks before the forward produced a crisp drive past Pompey goalkeeper Ryan Schofield.

Portsmouth’s set-piece link-up play worked the second time around for Pompey as Scully’s deep corner was bundled home by Yengi after Searle failed to collect the cross.

The turnaround was complete as Swanson gave the visitors the lead as he fired past Searle from a tight angle down Pompey’s right side.

Harvey Bunker drilled an effort towards Schofield’s top corner but the Pompey man was up to the task in Rovers’ best moment after the break.

Yengi added a third from the spot after Kamara was upended by Rovers full-back Jamie Robson in the penalty area.

A dramatic added-time equaliser from debutant Kusini Yengi saw Portsmouth grab a 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers at Fratton Park.

Luke Thomas had put Rovers ahead in the first half and it appeared they were heading for an opening day victory in League One before Yengi’s late strike.

The enthusiastic welcome the players received was not matched by either side in the opening period, with constant downpours making the pitch difficult to play on.

Rovers forced the early pressure and took the lead in the 24th minute. A quick break saw Jevani Brown go clear on the left and a low cross fell to the feet of Thomas, who confidently drove home.

Pompey produced two good efforts from Colby Bishop and Gavin Whyte as they pressed for an equaliser.

The second half saw Pompey coming out all guns blazing and the same pair again caused problems. Whyte had a stunning strike pushed over by Matthew Cox within the first two minutes followed quicky by a Bishop header that missed the target.

It appeared Rovers were going to hold on but Yengi headed home the equaliser two minutes into added time.

Charlotte FC have confirmed defender Anton Walkes died following an accident on Thursday.

The former Tottenham academy player was 25.

Walkes, who was born in London, had played in MLS since 2020, when he joined Atlanta United after leaving Portsmouth.

He moved to Charlotte for the 2022 season after being selected in the 2021 MLS expansion draft. He made 23 league appearances in his debut season.

Following his shock death, Charlotte paid tribute to the family man.

"Everyone at [the club] is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes," Owner David Tepper said in a statement. "He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met.

"Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch.

"He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton's family during this heart-breaking time. The club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning."