Kyley delighted in a Pompey Fratt party

PORTSMOUTH strengthened their automatic promotion claims with a 2-1 home victory against strugglers Newport.

Kyle Bennett and Kal Naismith scored for the hosts at Fratton Park before Alex Samuel set up a tense finale when he pulled a late goal back.

With leaders Doncaster and second-placed Plymouth playing each other today, none of the sides in the play-off places were able to take advantage.

Stevenage slipped six points behind Pompey with a goalless draw at Cambridge as Luton lost 2-1 at Colchester, Chris Porter scoring both goals for the hosts, while Carlisle’s loss of form continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Crewe.

Callum Cooke and Jordan Bowery netted either side of Shaun Miller’s 51st-minute red card for the hosts who have now lost six of their last seven matches.

Exeter staged a thrilling comeback in a 3-3 draw with derby rivals Yeovil, who led 3-0 after 88 minutes courtesy of goals from Francois Zoko, Shayon Harrison and Alex Lacey. But David Wheeler’s strike and injury-time efforts from Reuben Reid and Troy Brown rescued a point.

Blackpool moved up to fifth with a 2-1 win over Hartlepool. Lewis Alessandra put Pools ahead but Bright Samuel and Kyle Vassell (below) turned the game around.

Mansfield are just a point outside the play-off places after winning 3-1 at Morecambe. Danny Rose scored either side of Paul Mullin’s equaliser for the hosts before Ben Whiteman gave the Stags a two-goal cushion. At the other end of the table, Leyton Orient stay bottom after losing 3-0 at Crawley. First-half goals from James Collins, Joe McNerney and Enzio Boldewijn gave the Reds a first win in seven matches.

Cheltenham’s 3-1 loss at Barnet keeps them hovering just above danger. Danny Wright put Cheltenham ahead at The Hive but the Bees scored three times in 10 minutes late in the game through Curtis Weston and two from John Akinde.

Shola Ameobi’s strike moved Notts County further from trouble with a 1-0 win at Wycombe.