Pompey produced a dominant display, as goals from Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ronan Curtis saw them beat Championship side Peterborough.

Supporters made a welcome return to Fratton Park for the first time in more than seven months – and made plenty of noise.

And they were rewarded with a display full of energy and confident passing from Danny Cowley’s troops.

Tunnicliffe took advantage of a defensive mix-up to break the deadlock midway through the first half, while an impressive Curtis effort wrapped things up by the interval.

Before kick-off there was a minute's applause in memory of popular fan Joyce Tynan, who sadly passed away recently at the age of 88.

The hosts made the brighter start once the action began and a low drive from Reeco Hackett-Fairchild was gathered by Christy Pym.

Alex Bass was then called into action for the first time to deal with an effort from Nathan Thompson, who was joined in the visitors’ side by fellow former Blues full-back Dan Butler.

Pompey were looking the more likely to break the deadlock, though, and Curtis was a particular threat.

And when he fired in a low drive that was spilled by Pym, the follow-up from John Marquis was blocked by Frankie Kent.

A low free-kick into the mixer from Shaun Williams was then missed by Curtis, with Tunnicliffe and skipper Clark Robertson unable to capitalise when the ball ran loose.

There was not too much happening at the other end, although Mark Beevers turned a corner wide at the back post.

Pompey did take the lead on 24 minutes, however, when a poor back-pass put Pym under plenty of pressure.

The keeper could only clear the ball straight to TUNNICLIFFE, who kept his cool to fire into an empty net.

Sammie Szmodics had two chances to level before the break, with a teasing Joe Ward delivery too powerful for him to nod on target.

The midfielder then raced into the centre to meet a Butler delivery, only to fire wastefully wide of the post.

And the Blues made the Posh pay by doubling their advantage late in the first half, with CURTIS bending home a fine strike from the edge of the box.

There was time for another opportunity after the tireless Curtis managed to charge down the busy Pym.

The ball fell for Marquis and it looked like he would net a third, only for Thompson to make a superb block.

Half Time: Pompey 2 Peterborough 0

Posh had the chance to reduce the deficit straight after the restart following a poor Robertson clearance, but Jorge Grant’s shot flashed past the post.

Pompey were still looking threatening, though, and Curtis could not quite stretch enough to divert a miscued Marcus Harness effort on target.

Tempers threatened to boil over when Marquis and Thompson tussled as the former tried to race through on goal and both were booked by referee Andy Davies.

Marquis looked poised to meet a Harness cross on 65 minutes, but Hackett-Fairchild got their first and could not force the ball home.

The feud between Marquis and Thompson was reignited when the latter fouled the former as he advanced towards goal.

Peterborough’s right-back probably would have been sent off in a competitive fixture and was soon substituted by Darren Ferguson.

Michael Jacobs and a trialist were brought on for Shaun Williams and Hackett-Fairchild on 77 minutes.

And Pompey were still looking much the better side, causing their higher ranked opponents plenty of problems.

A low Harness strike was saved by Pym, as the home side continued to camp out around the Posh area.

They were ultimately unable to find the third goal their performance deserved, but it was still a positive outcome with just a week to go before the League One action commences.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bass; Freeman, Raggett, Robertson (c), Brown; Tunnicliffe, Williams (Trialist E 77); Harness, Hackett-Fairchild (Jacobs 77), Curtis; Marquis
Goals: Tunnicliffe 24, Curtis 40
Booked: Marquis
Subs not used: Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Trialist F

Peterborough (4-2-3-1): Pym; Thompson (Hickinson 73), Kent, Beevers (c), Butler; Taylor (Titchmarsh 84), Grant; Ward, Szmodics, Burrows; Marriott (Kanu 57)
Booked: Thompson
Sub not used: McGlinchey

Referee: Andy Davies

Attendance: 4,077 (45 away fans)