'You can't expect a free-flowing game': Portsmouth boss heaps praise on patched-up side after Forest Green victory

The Blues claimed a first win in five League One matches through Sean Raggett’s first-half goal at the home of the strugglers.

Despite the hosts barely testing Josh Griffiths, it was largely a tough watch for the travelling supporters, with Cowley’s side not at their best.

It was a triumph described as ‘important’ by the Blues’ head coach, who was forced to turn to Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jay Mingi in the centre of midfield.

And while Cowley was full of praise for both, he admitted the losses of Joe Morrell (sore back), Marlon Pack (suspended), Louis Thompson and Tom Lowery were felt in the display.

He told The News: ‘It was a really important win and good to keep a clean sheet, we haven't had a clean sheet since Burton, and I thought it was a resilient, gritty performance.

‘Was it perfect? Definitely not. Could we play better? Absolutely. Sometimes when you can’t play at your best you must find a way of winning – and we were able to.

‘The centre-halves were outstanding, Sean Raggett and Clark Robertson were fantastic, while Josh (Griffiths) marshalled the defence really well too.

‘We have lots of issues in midfield at the moment, too many injuries, something we have to look at.

‘We couldn’t use Joe Morrell, we thought we were going to be able to, then we couldn’t, and had no Marlon Pack, you will always miss him, no Tom Lowery and Louis Thompson.

‘You can’t lose that many people in the engine room of your team and expect a free-flowing game, you just can’t, so we had to dig in.

‘Connor Ogilvie again finished in midfield, which we didn’t think would happen this season because we felt the middle of midfield was our strongest department.

‘It has been tough for us – and we have to navigate through it.’

Birthday boy Jay Mingi was unquestionably Pompey’s best performer on his full debut.

He joined Zak Swanson in the starting line-up, with the right-back marking his Football League bow.

He added: ‘We have two young players that made their first starts in the EFL – and I am so proud of Zak and Jay.

‘It’s an unbelievable achievement to be a professional footballer, there are millions of people in this country who play football and would love to be a professional footballer and only so few, one per cent, can do it.

‘I know how much commitment and dedication has gone into both of their careers, not only by themselves but by their parents, their families, coaches and people who have worked with them.

‘And it was Jay on his birthday, certainly one he will remember.’