Richardson praise for Portsmouth after ending winless run in style

Striker Marc McNulty bagged a sublime hat-trick with Ben Davies and academy duo Ben Tollitt and Conor Chaplin also on the scoresheet against a York side who lost Jonathan Greening to a first-half red card.

The victory ended Portsmouth's run of five league games without a triumph and was their first three-point haul in front of their own fans since mid-September.

A delighted Richardson said: "The overriding emotion is that we have won and we have got three points.

"The lads have worked tirelessly hard in the last few weeks and they suffered a tinge of disappointment and it is credit to them for coming back to earn that result."

Incredibly considering the final scoreline, the match was still 0-0 at half-time but Portsmouth made the most of their man advantage in the second half.

Richardson hailed on-loan striker McNulty and also felt the red card for Greening on the cusp of half-time for elbowing Portsmouth skipper Michael Doyle was the right decision.

"I thought we were good in the first half, we were just missing the goals," he said.

"Marc is the type of calibre of player that me and the gaffer want down here.

"We have tried to get him numerous times in the past and it was nice to get him to this club.

"The red was an easy one for the ref. He led with his arm and the ref has also seen it in that light."

The defeat for York was their seventh on the trot and saw them slide into the bottom two of the Sky Bet League Two standings.

Minstermen manager Jackie McNamara, whose side have yet to pick up a point since he took charge at the start of the month, conceded it was an "embarrassing" defeat but felt referee Iain Williamson did them no favours with Greening's sending off.

He said of the dismissal: "I thought he was going for a header. He hasn't got his arm in the air and he's seen the ball and he hasn't really made contact with the lad. I thought it was harsh.

"The referee has reacted to their player's reaction.

"I thought first half we were fine and obviously the sending off kills us."

The Scot added: "We spoke at half-time about galvanising and making sure we don't give anything away and we lost a few early goals and crumbled.

"We played like individuals and felt sorry for ourselves and it turned into an embarrassing scoreline.

"I am very angry and disappointed at how we ended the game."