Pompey’s excellent start to the season continued, as they eased to a comfortable victory over struggling Plymouth at Fratton Park.

They dominated for much of the contest and Ronan Curtis’ finish saw them deservedly lead at the break.

Jamal Lowe and Curtis then struck in quick succession after the interval to wrap up another enjoyable afternoon on the sunny south coast.

Kenny Jackett stuck with the same starting 11 for a fourth game in succession, with new loan signing Andre Green having to be content with a place on the bench.

There was a familiar face in the opposition line-up, as Stuart O’Keefe was selected in the Argyle midfield.

Before kick-off there was a minute’s applause for former Pompey forward Ron Newman, who sadly passed away earlier in the week.

When the action got underway, it was the hosts who quickly gained the upper hand and started to dominate the contest.

Lowe dragged one shot wide, while the winger’s cross then had to be cleared behind before Gareth Evans could strike.

It was an impressive performance from Evans and his fierce 30-yard volley was just about tipped over by Matt Macey.

The keeper then had a nervy moment when he fumbled Lee Brown’s cross and narrowly prevented the ball from going behind for a corner.

Still the Blues dominated and when Oli Hawkins laid the ball off for Lowe, Macey had to get down to his right to save.

Plymouth thought they should have had a penalty on 21 minutes when Freddie Ladapo burst through on goal and collided with Craig MacGillivray.

The ball flew harmlessly wide and the visitors cried foul, but referee Tom Nield disagreed and waved play on.

Pompey rubbed salt into the wound by grabbing a deserved goal just seconds later, as CURTIS continued his fine personal form.

Evans sent a pass over the top for Lowe and although there was a heavy touch, he managed to squeeze the ball across for his fellow forward to slot home.

The advantage might have been doubled soon after when Evans laid the ball off for Hawkins, only for Macey to make a fine save.

It was Pompey who had been almost totally on top, but their opponents started to enjoy more of the ball as the interval approached.

Their best opportunity was a fierce drive from Jamie Ness – earlier booked for a crude challenge on Lowe – that MacGillivray pushed over the bar.

The hosts then received a blow when Hawkins went down off the ball and had to limp off, with Brett Pitman on to replace him.

And Pompey received a scare as MacGillivray came for a corner and missed, but Gary Sawyer failed to capitalise and fired over.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Plymouth 0

Jackett made his other two changes at the break, as the injured duo of Anton Walkes and Jack Whatmough made way for Nathan Thompson and Christian Burgess.

Plymouth also introduced Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras to try to find a route back into the contest.

But the Blues started brighter and Lowe’s centre had to be cut out by Ryan Edwards before Pitman could strike.

Tom Naylor then had two cracks when a corner fell to him on the edge of the box and the second fizzed narrowly over.

But there would always be some nerves while the lead was so slender and Carey sent the ball against the outside of the post.

It was still the hosts on top, though, and Macey did well to keep out a deflected Lowe effort, while Burgess sent a header looping over.

But the Blues could breathe a sigh of relief when the lead was doubled on 63 minutes, as LOWE arrived at the back post to nod home Curtis’ cross.

And the points were safely in the bag just a few minutes later, thanks to a fine solo goal from the impressive CURTIS.

He bundled Sawyer off the ball with ease and despite looking to have run too far, managed to angle home a fierce shot.

The action calmed after that hectic period, with Pompey comfortably seeing out the closing stages in third gear.

And they were not really troubled by the Pilgrims before the whistle blew and the Fratton faithful could celebrate yet another victory

Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Walkes (N.Thompson 46), Whatmough (Burgess 46), Clarke, Brown; B.Thompson, Naylor; Lowe, Evans (c), Curtis; Hawkins (Pitman 41)
Goals: Curtis 22, 69, Lowe 63
Booked: N.Thompson
Subs not used: McGee, Close, Wheeler, Green

Plymouth (4-1-4-1): Macey; Riley, Edwards, Sawyer (c), Smith-Brown; Songo’o (Lameiras 46); O’Keefe (Fox 70), Sarcevic, Ness, C.Grant (Carey 46); Ladapo
Booked: Ness
Subs not used: Letheren, Wootton, J.Grant, Taylor

Referee: Tom Nield

Attendance: 18,872 (1,226 away fans)