Ipswich will head to PO4 without a league victory since November 5 after losing to 10-man Rovers

IPSWICH Town will travel to Fratton Park on Saturday with manager Paul Lambert reminding his players to focus on their objectives this season.

While Pompey went down to a 4-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley at the weekend, the Tractor Boys also suffered as they lost 2-1 at home to

who had captain Ollie Clarke sent-off on 77 minutes.

Strikes by Tyler Smith and Tom Nichols put Rovers two-up. Although James Norwood pulled one back for Ipswich before half time, Rovers held on. That result allowed leaders

to extend their advantage at the top of the League One table to seven points following their 2-0 win at home to

It also made Lambert take stock of his side’s form, with Ipswich without a league win since November 5.

And the Portman Road side will travel to PO4 with only one win in their past 10 outings in all competitions.

As a side with ambitions to return to the Championship at the first time of asking, it’s a worrying trend – despite Lambert & Co remaining in the automatic promotion places.

As a result, he’s asked his troops to remain switched on to the challenges ahead – including Saturday’s sell-out game at Fratton Park.

Lambert said: ‘It’s important that the team remains focused on what they’re trying to achieve and if we can do it this year (win promotion), it will be brilliant because not many teams bounce back.

‘If you look at the table, you look at other results, it’s incredible. Accrington beat Portsmouth 4-1, I think Rotherham lost.

‘It’s a really tough league, really tough. But we’re in a good position, we’ve a game in hand but we need to start to win.’

put pressure on Ipswich in the race for automatic promotion with a 1-0 win against

at London Road. Third-placed Posh, who drew 2-2 at Fratton Park the previous weekend, closed the gap to second place to one point thanks to Ivan Toney’s 14th league goal of the season.

League One

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson heaped praise on his players.

He said: ‘The approach of the players was first class. I was very, very pleased with them.

‘December and March are the two most crucial months in the season for me and we have taken seven points from the first three games of this month.

‘Bolton are a better side than people might realise. They are not bottom because of their current squad.

‘They have some good players so I’m delighted we beat them quite comfortably in the end.’

Meanwhile, ex-Pompey skipper Sol Campbell did his former side a favour as held to a 2-2 draw at Roots

Hall.

The result means Rotherham, who occupy the last play-off place, are just three points above the 10th-placed Blues having played an extra game.

Campbell, whose Southend team remain 22nd, said: ‘The performance was really good and the lads played really well against a dangerous Rotherham side who are doing well.

‘Considering where we are and where Rotherham are, it’s a good point. But we also had a lot of chances to come away with a win. We need more belief going forward and thinking we can score.’ Other results: AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Doncaster Rovers, Fleetwood Town 1-1 Gillingham, Lincoln City 1-0 Tranmere Rovers, MK Dons 1-0 Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Coventry City, Sunderland 1-1 Blackpool.