Ben Close has won the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month award for August.
The Pompey midfielder received 45 per cent of the public vote, seeing off competition from Peterborough’s Marcus Maddison and Doncaster’s Niall Ennis.
He had been nominated for a stunning strike in the victory over Tranmere, which the judging panel described as ‘a spectacular fusion of physics and skill’.
Close said: “I’m delighted to win this award. I struck the ball really well and it’s certainly the best goal I’ve scored in my career so far.”
Sky Sports pundit – and lead Goal of the Month judge – Don Goodman said: “It’s always worth keeping one of your most technically gifted players on the edge of the penalty area from corners, as invariably most clearances will be bouncing or reaching them on the full.
“Close proved just that, as he met an attempted clearance with such a powerful volley that it gave the out-of-position keeper no chance.
“Indeed, it was his second volley from outside the area in under a week, following a similar goal in the midweek EFL Cup win against Birmingham.”