Portsmouth boss Paul Hart defended striker Tommy Smith's performances after opting to axe him from the side against Wigan. Hart insisted his decision was no indication of how the former Watford man has performed since joining Pompey in the summer.

"Tommy's been excellent, just like Danny Webber when he's had an opportunity," explained Hart.

"He's worked tirelessly and been absolutely brilliant. When I signed him I read somewhere that he's a Championship player but the boy's proved more than anyone else that he's a Premier League player.

"I got all the players in before kick-off and said I'm a very lucky manager because I've got people knocking on my door following the performance in the cup.

"I've got a team of players who are hungry to keep their shirt and that's a good position to be in. It's a timely reminder that there is competition here."