Portsmouth manager John Mousinho praised his side’s defensive resilience after Andre Dozzell’s deflected goal earned them a 1-0 win over Preston.
It was Portsmouth’s first home win of the season whilst Preston’s dismal away record, just three wins in 30 games, continues.
Despite taking seven points from the first four games, Mousinho is hopeful of strengthening his squad further ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
Mousinho said: “Obviously, we’re a long way ahead of where we were last year, not just in terms of points, but I think in terms of performances. We’re looking like a much more solid Championship side. I still think there’s a load of improvement because, like we saw today, it’s a lot more defensively solid.
“I think it’ll be a busy couple of days for us. I think we’re still a couple short. I think we’ve been working hard to try and plug those gaps. I genuinely don’t know where we are on a couple.”
There was little between these two teams in a game of few chances and the game was decided in a sixty second flurry five minutes before half time.
Preston had their goalkeeper Daniel Iversen to thank when he made a magnificent point-blank save with his legs to prevent Colby Bishop from turning in Josh Murphy’s low cross.
But it counted for nothing as Pompey scored from the resulting corner as Andre Dozzell’s long-range shot deflected in off Michael Smith, giving Iversen no chance.
The Lilywhites created few clear-cut openings of their own. Thierry Small was enjoying space on the left and cut in to curl a shot just wide of the far post for the visitors, midway through the first half.
Despite dominating possession, Preston were frustrated by Portsmouth’s dogged defending throughout the second half. Sub Lewis Dobbin, on loan from Aston Villa, ought to have done better with another Small cross in the final minute of normal time but shot wastefully over.
With the game stretched as Preston searched for an equaliser, Murphy had a golden chance to score a second for Pompey but tried to be too clever with a lob, easily stopped by Iversen.
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom felt the result was harsh on his side, whose miserable away run continues.
He said: “The only thing I’m disappointed with and that the players are disappointed with is the fact we’ve come away with nothing.
“I was pleased with the performance. Not our day, another deflection. We’ve conceded three goals so far, two of them deflections, one of them an own goal. But the performance was strong again. This is a difficult place to come.”
