Portsmouth put a dent in Carlisle United's promotion push as they claimed a 3-0 victory at Brunton Park.

Pompey took the lead in 73rd minute, with Gary Roberts shooting past Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, before Amine Linganzi doubled their lead four minutes from time and sub Jack Whatmough put the icing on the cake for Pompey in stoppage-time.

The result moves the visitors to within three points of the Cumbrians, while Portsmouth still have a game in hand on their promotion rivals.

It was the first time the Blues had failed to score at home in the league this season.

Earlier, in front of a bumper crowd of over 7,000, in-form Jamie Proctor found the net within the opening minute with the first chance of note but had been flagged offside long before he headed home.

Carl Baker had the visitors' first chance with four minutes on the clock, which United goalkeeper Gillespie saved, albeit not overly convincingly.

In the 17th minute, great work by Proctor led to a Carlisle counter. The Bolton loanee fed Nicky Adams and he peppered the gloves of away keeper David Forde.

The Cumbrians were also forced into changes inside the first period, with captain Michael Raynes and Shaun Brisley both coming off. They were replaced by Tom Miller and Alex McQueen. Luke Joyce taking the captain's armband.

There was drama at both ends at the end of the first half, though.

A high ball came out of the sky and hit Portsmouth defender Gareth Evans' arm inside the area but no penalty was given by referee Richard Clark. Then, Eoin Doyle missed a sitter at the other end, poking over the bar.

Pompey came racing out of the blocks after the restart. They had the ball in the back of the net after Doyle tucked home but the goal was ruled out for offside, before another Doyle deflected shot was tipped over the bar by Gillespie, moments later.

Six minutes into the second half, a poor touch by Portsmouth keeper Forde kept Proctor interested. But Forde just beat Proctor to the loose ball.

Proctor had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on the 56th minute following a superb cross by Joyce. But Proctor headed wide of Forde's left-hand post.

Meanwhile, Reggie Lambe also tested the Portsmouth keeper in the second half after a good move, involving Miller and John O'Sullivan.

But the away team played well in difficult conditions in the second half, as they came home with the points.

A double substitution by Portsmouth had a major impact.

Roberts dinked in a fine solo goal, before Linganzi doubled the away side's lead and Whatmough added the third.

Carlisle stopper Gillespie had a moment to forget in the final minutes but Doyle struck over when presented with an open goal and the chance to add a fourth Portsmouth goal.

Carlisle United had named an unchanged team for their match at Brunton Park against fellow promotion chasers Portsmouth.

Max Crocombe returned to the subs bench after a minor back injury, taking the place of youth keeper Morgan Bacon on the bench.

Lambe, who scored the Blues' goal when the two sides met at Fratton Park on the opening day of the season in a 1-1 draw, was among those to keep his place in the Carlisle starting line-up.

Jamie Devitt, sent off at Fratton Park on the opening day of the campaign, was on the Cumbrian's bench.

Keith Curle's men came into the game on the back of successive wins against Wycombe Wanderers and Doncaster Rovers.

Carlisle United: Gillespie, Joyce, Raynes (c) (McQueen 36), Jones, Proctor, Adams, Gillesphey, Brisley (T.Miller 15), O'Sullivan (Ibehre 60), Lambe, Liddle.

Unused Carlisle subs: Crocombe, Bailey, Devitt, Waring.

Portsmouth: Forde, Stevens, Clark, Burgess, Baker (Whatmough 71), M. Doyle (c), Roberts (Naismith 80), E.Doyle, Bennett (Chaplin 71), Linganzi, Evans.

Unused Portsmouth subs: O'Brien, Rose, Lowe, Hunt.