Awford hails matchwinner Tubbs

Andy Awford heaped praise onto Matt Tubbs, after the striker netted his first goal to give Portsmouth a 1-0 win over Hartlepool.

Striker Tubbs, who signed for Pompey from Bournemouth last month, clipped his header past Scott Flinders after a sumptuous cross from Ryan Taylor to end their nine game run without a win. "He keeps putting himself in there," he said. "He's had chances in all three games and he doesn't let not scoring affect him, like all good goalscorers. "He has scored goals throughout his career and he gets into the right places. He got across the front post, good ball in, great header and I'm delighted for him. Tubbs' 13th League Two goal of the season ended Portsmouth's nine game streak without a win, which had heaped pressure on Awford. Awford's job now looks to have stayed safe for the time being, after remaining unbeaten since the Portsmouth board voted against sacking the club legend two weeks ago. "I'm very pleased," Awford said. "It was a great solid and professional performance and we are delighted to get over that hurdle and get a win. "We started very well and probably should have had a goal for the amount we had the ball in their box. "For me the key was that we stayed patient. Make sure we take the extra touch and take care about our quality. "Two clean sheets in two games which is a good platform to build on. When you don't let goals in you have more chances of winning matches. "Our 11 was better than their 11 and we deservedly won the game." Hartlepool registered just their fifth win of the season last week at home to Plymouth but could not add to their two game unbeaten run. Boss Ronnie Moore bemoaned United's lack of quality, as they slip to nine points adrift at the bottom of League Two. "I am disappointed with the goal we conceded," he said. "It was a scrappy kind of game. No real chances for either side. "We weren't as good as we have been in the last three weeks with the ball. It is soul destroying because we haven't played well. "We were sound defensively. They had a few chances from outside the box but we threw bodies at them but there wasn't too many saves Scotty [Flinders] has had to make. "We gave the ball away way too easily which didn't allow players to get into the game to create chances. "It is a pity we couldn't do better. The effort and commitment was there but the fans came all the way down here. It is a shame we couldn't put on a show."