Jackett keen for Portsmouth to take the lead

Kenny Jackett has emphasised the importance of Pompey scoring first in their bid for League One promotion.Â
Kenny Jackett. Picture: Joe PeplerKenny Jackett. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kenny Jackett. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues have been defeated just once when they've taken the lead this season. 

Jackett's troops have broken the deadlock in 15 of their matches. 

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Their solitary loss after going ahead came against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup first round in August.

Kenny Jackett. Picture: Joe PeplerKenny Jackett. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kenny Jackett. Picture: Joe Pepler

Christian Burgess headed the home side in front, but Joe Pigott equalised for the Wombles before Anton Walkes scored a late own goal.

Yet when Pompey have made the breakthrough in League One, they've come out on top on almost every occasion. 

It wasn't until October 23 when the Blues dropped points after netting the opener.

That came in the 2-2 draw with Burton Albion.

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Five days later, Oli Hawkins gave Pompey the advantage at Accrington Stanley, but Michael Ihiekwe restored parity in the 1-1 draw.

Jackett knows the odds are stacked in his outfit's favour when the Blues strike first.  

And the manager has told his players to keep up their impressive record. 

He said: '˜Many times this season we've got the first goal in games.

'Many managers talk about the first goal in football.

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'Generally I do think if you score first your percentage of losing is quite low.

'We've got the first goal a number of times, gone ahead in games a number of times.'

Although they sit top of League One, Pompey haven't won emphatically on many occasions this season.

That's something Jackett is aware of, although it's something he'd love his side to do.

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The boss added: '˜To go from there to then absolutely blowing it away, we haven't necessarily done that too many times.

'It doesn't happen as much as you think and narrow wins generally happen most games.

'We'd love to be able to go 1-0 up then go 2-0 or 3-0 up, if we can get to that stage then we certainly would have a very good points total.'