Nigel Quashie scored a sensational winner as Portsmouth overcame Wimbledon to register their first win in seven games.

Quashie's scorcher came in the 27th minute and Portsmouth hung on to take the three points.

Steve Claridge's side had taken the lead after a quarter of an hour when Lee Bradbury scored from the spot.

But minutes later it was 1-1 when Wimbledon striker Jason Euell equalised for the visitors.

Pompey pressure

Portsmouth had a host of chances to score during the opening stages.

Failed

They should have taken the lead as early as the 10th minute but Wimbledon goalkeeper Kelvin Davis made three super saves from Pompey trio Luke Nightingale, Quashie and Bradbury.

It was Quashie who earned his side the crucial penalty, after being body checked by Dons defender Peter Hawkins as he broke into the Wimbledon penalty area.

It was only a mistake from skipper Darren Moore that allowed Wimbledon back into the game.

The skipper failed to deal with a cross from the right flank, allowing Euell to sidefoot past Aaron Flahavan from six yards to notch his 14th goal of the campaign.

Though Euell levelled the scores not long after, Quashie sealed it for the home side with a scorcher from 25 yards following a slick short corner routine.

Player/manager Claridge started with Nightingale and Bradbury in attack after bruising his foot a week earlier but brought himself on for the former in the 54th minute.

He could have extended his side's lead from Kevin Harper's cross from the right flank but could only take the ball over Davis' crossbar.

Wimbledon brought on Marcus Gayle for Par Karlsson shortly afterwards and he too should have done better with a free shot that was deflected wide off Flahavan's left-hand post.

Gayle set Euell up with a headed knock down seven minutes from time but Flahavan intervened.

Portsmouth now move to within one place of Wimbledon.

[ --- news.bbc.co.uk]