Relegation Battle Reprieve

Last updated : 18 March 2014 By Jim Bonner

Portsmouth have dropped to 21st in the League Two table following tonight's results but things could have been worse overall.

Northampton Town had the chance to close the gap on Pompey to just a single point but were hammered 3-0 at home by Rochdale, who play Richie Barker's men next Tuesday.

Pompey dropped two positions this evening due to Wycombe Wanderers getting a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town whilst Accrington Stanley thrashed Morecambe 5-1.

The other relegation battle fixture saw Torquay United grab a late winner over fellow strugglers Bury to win 2-1 and keep their faint hopes of Football League survival alive. They are now six points behind Pompey but with a seven goal deficit on goal difference to make up.

Bury themselves are on the same points as Pompey but have a significantly better goal difference (-1) and a game in hand. Bristol Rovers also have played a game less and remain above Pompey in the table due to their -6 goal difference.

Whilst Portsmouth have a goal difference of -13, Northampton's is now -18 after their defeat tonight and who knows just how significant that will be come the end of the season? The two sides meet at Sixfields in the third-to-last match of the campaign and you can guarantee there'll be a lot riding on the result for both sides.

It is sad that Pompey's season has come to this, with fans worrying about how other strugglers are doing in their battle against drop. It really does highlight how poor this year has been and it may still get worse yet if York come to Fratton Park and win on Saturday.

Bums will be squeaking for quite some time yet.