Peterborough United's players found the going tough for a change

Portsmouth are now top after winning 2-1 at the ABAX in a scrappy. physical, foul-laden game in which individuals struggled to shine.

Posh skipper Alex Woodyard again displayed his appetite for a battle, while Siriki Dembele was responsible for most flashes of quality and inform Ryan Tafazolli defended well.

RATINGS: 10- Perfect, 9 - Outstanding, 8 - Very good, 7 - Good, 6 - Average, 5 - Poor, 4 - Stinker.

Aaron Chapman: The first Pompey goal seemed to take an age to reach the net, but presumably the ball was always out of reach of the big Posh ‘keeper. He didn’t really have much to do, but his kicking wasn’t great 6

Jason Naismith: Worked hard and dominated an elusive wide player in the first-half, but struggled to contain him after the break. A couple of promising bursts forward ruined by poor crosses 6

Colin Daniel: A steady defensive effort, but his distribution was generally iffy aside from a couple of decent crosses. Hawkins lost him for the first goal 5.5

Rhys Bennett: He should stick to rugged defending as passing the ball or running with it are not strengths. Poor pass led to the match-killing second Pompey goal 5

Ryan Tafazolli: Another fairly commanding display at the back by the big man. Didn#t lose many aerial duels even against a bigger opponent 7

Alex Woodyard: Never stopped competing, battling or tackling. A good effort from the skipper 7

Mark O’Hara: Won a lot of headers in the middle of the park, but they never threatened to lead to anything. Struggling with the ball at his feet, but did play a part in the best/only Posh passing move of the first half 6

Joe Ward: Stuck to his defensive task well, although he was brushed aside for the opening goal, but his crossing was weak and off-target 5.5

Siriki Dembele: Showed some great skills and bursts of pace which led to many fouls and little protection from the referee. He has very fast feet which get him out of tight situations 7

Matt Godden: Excellent finish, but otherwise found it hard to get away from a strong, powerful defence 6

Jason Cummings: Sliced a volley wide in the first-half from his only scoring opportunity. The long balls to Cummings and Godden didn’t work against this defence 5

Substitutes

Ivan Toney: (for Cummings, 58 mins) Made life tougher for the Pompey back four, but missed a great chance to score late on

Jamie Walker: (for O’Hara, 68 mins) He’s a classy runner with the ball and a decent passer, but game will pass him by unless Posh tweak their system

Marcus Maddison: (for Ward, 72 mins) Should probably be starting now. Created one great chance and a big hand in the Posh goal.

Conor O’Malley: (not used).

Josh Yorwerth: (not used).

Louis Reed: (not used).

George Cooper: (not used).