91Èȱ¬

Bondz N'Gala's early header gave Portsmouth a narrow win over managerless Bury.

The giant centre-back rose highest to guide Ricky Holmes' corner into the net for his third goal of the season.

Bury, who sacked Kevin Blackwell on Monday, were the better side after the break, but Shaun Harrad's header was kept out by Phil Smith's fine save.

Danny Hylton and Anton Forrester both missed good chances for Bury before Jed Wallace hit the post for Portsmouth.

The defeat meant the Shakers, currently being led by caretaker boss Ronnie Jepson, are without a win in eight games and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Portsmouth manager Guy Whittingham told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Solent:

"It's one of those victories that you don't want but you'll take.

"I don't think there were many players who actually could say we had a good game on the ball, but we worked hard, we defended well and we've ultimately won the game.

"Teams often lift their game when a manager's gone, either to play for him or they're happy to see him go, and so either way there was going to be a reaction.

"There was certainly a reaction from Bury; they were on top of us, they were lively, they were doing everything apart from scoring."

Bury caretaker manager Ronnie Jepson told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Manchester:

"How we didn't get something out of the game, I'll never know.

"We were on the front foot from the off and you saw the sigh of relief from their staff afterwards. Guy Whittingham was almost a bit apologetic.

"This is a great place to come and they've got a good crowd behind them. Our boys showed fantastic spirit and it's just not dropping at this moment in time."