Curtis strike powers Portsmouth
Two high-quality goals spared Portsmouth’s blushes as the 2008 FA Cup winners laboured to a first-round win at National League Harrogate Town.
Brandon Haunstrup and Ronan Curtis produced excellent strikes after Mark Beck gave Town an early lead. A power cut at the CNG Stadium prevented supporters from entering the ground before the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off, with the match eventually getting under way almost an hour later.
Harrogate took the lead after seven minutes when George Smith’s free-kick caused chaos, with Beck heading in at the back post.
Portsmouth equalised against the run of play after 17 minutes. Makeshift rightback Haunstrup cut inside on to his stronger left foot and curled a 20-yard effort inside the far post.
Portsmouth captain Tom Naylor had to be replaced by Anton Walkes after picking up an injury and the visitors had a let-off when Jack Muldoon raced clear only to smash his effort wide.
Curtis put the away side in front before half-time when he collected John Marquis’s pass and fired a stunning half-volley past James Belshaw from 30 yards.
Marquis and Ryan Williams both struck efforts from distance wide after the break. A Gareth Evans corner then caused panic in the home defence, but Marquis was unable to force the ball into the net.
Substitute George Thomson rifled Harrogate’s first meaningful effort of the second half a fraction wide, and Connor Hall headed over from a corner as the hosts enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure, but they were unable to secure a replay.
League One Portsmouth will host non-league Altrincham in round two.
Harrogate Town (4-4-2) Belshaw; Fallowfield, W Smith, Hall, G Smith; Kiernan (Bradley 70), Falkingham, Burrell (Emmett 31), Muldoon; Beck, Diamond (Thomson 63). Subs Jones, Taylor, Cracknell (g), Brown.
Portsmouth (4-2-3-1) Macgillivray; Haunstrup, Burgess, Raggett (Downing 31), Brown; Naylor (Walkes 24), Close; Williams, Evans, Curtis; Marquis. Subs Pitman, Bolton, Cannon, Harness, Bass (g). Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).