Merson: Back to his best

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp hailed his side after they returned to winning ways against Grimsby on Saturday.

The 3-0 victory was Pompey's first home win since November, and maintained the promotion favourites' two-point lead at the top of the table.

"It was a game we knew we had to win and we got off to the best possible start," Redknapp told the club's website.

"I thought we might go on from there and it got a bit nervy the longer we went without adding to the score.

Tim Sherwood had a great debut and all in all a 3-0 victory has to be very satisfying Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp

"But if you look at the game as a whole we had all the chances.

"Howeve, the second goal was really important in terms of who got it

"Had they snatched one, which is always possible at 1-0, then it really would have been game on.

"I was pleased for Yakubu and he showed his pace and strength with the first goal and will prove a handful to any defence.

"And Merse was back to his best.

"Tim Sherwood had a great debut and all in all a 3-0 victory has to be very satisfying."

Grimsby counterpart Paul Groves was disappointed with his side's defending for all three goals.

He added: "If you look at the three goals they all came from situations where we had the ball and lost it.

"That makes it hard because you just can't afford to do that against teams like Portsmouth."