Spot-kick helps secure win over Yeovil
It has been the low point of an otherwise successful season for Pompey.
They had been awarded an incredible 12 penalties prior to Yeovil’s visit to Fratton Park – and missed seven of them.
The last five had all been squandered, with the Blues not scoring from the spot since Gary Roberts struck against Mansfield in November.
So there was plenty of nervous tension around the ground when Roberts was fouled in the box by Glovers defender Bevis Mugabi.
But Gareth Evans – who had yet to take a penalty this term – stepped up fire the ball into the bottom corner and set Pompey on the path to a 3-1 victory.
The opening goalscorer said: “I’ve been on the gaffer’s case all week about taking them and he didn’t kick up much of a fuss.
“I think that Carl Baker fancied it, but I managed to get there in front of him and put it away.
“I knew where I was going to put it and you have to be certain in these situations – although I’m not saying it’s the same place I’ll go next time.
“We’ve missed a few this season, so I’m pleased that I was able to score and contribute to another win.
“It’s another game ticked off and another three points on the board – that’s what we’ve got to keep on doing now.
“Winning at Fratton Park is always pleasing and we’re just trying to get the momentum building until we run out of games.”
Kal Naismith and Jamal Lowe were also on target after an own-goal had drawn the visitors level and Evans was more concerned with the result than how Pompey achieved it.
He said: “Yeovil were always going to be a threat with a couple of big lads up front and are a tough team to play against.
“But we had a lot of possession and created plenty of chances, while still being wary of the threat they posed.
“Their goal was a bit lucky, but we got the win and you don’t really care too much about performances at this stage of the season.”