Jordan Clark’s first-half goal against Portsmouth helped breathe new life into the Town’s survival hopes as Matt Bloomfield secured his first win in charge against Portsmouth.

Having gone 12 games in the Championship without a victory and eight under the new boss, the midfielder’s close-range strike was the difference on an afternoon of high tension and anxiety at Kenilworth Road.

It was a priceless victory, as the Town lifted themselves off the bottom of the table and to within two points of safety in the Championship.

A feisty game from the off – an early booking for Andre Dozzell for a late challenge on Liam Walsh set the tone. It would be one of three yellow cards shown to the visitors in the first period.

While the Town enjoyed the majority of the ball but chances in both boxes were few and far between with the nearest the Hatters came to threatening came on 20 minutes when Regan Poole’s back-pass rolled past goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.

However, five minutes later, the Town had the lead. Clark came away with the ball as a Pompey free-kick failed to breach the Hatters penalty area and the midfielder carried the ball 70 yards before laying off to Jacob Brown. His cross into the box was diverted onto the post by Marlon Pack but Clark was on hand to smash home the rebound.

Ahead the Hatters came close to doubling their lead on 32 minutes when Alfie Doughty’s low shot was cleared off the line by Poole before Clark, searching a second, curled into the arms of Schmid just before the break.

After the restart Portsmouth came out the brighter of the two sides but despite their dominance they failed to seriously test Thomas Kaminski.

The Town were holding firm defensively with Christ Makosso impressing on his full Luton debut and the defender headed clear brilliantly on 64 minutes to deny Colby Bishop from close range.

Clark shot wide after a flowing Hatters move at the other end on 69 minutes as the Hatters sought a second to put the game to bed.

However, as time ticked down the Town desperately held onto their lead as Pompey pushed for a leveller.

And hearts were in mouths with four minutes left when Connor Oglevie headed over from six yards with the goal at his mercy. It was a huge let-off.

Back came the Town – Clark was denied what he felt should have been a penalty with two minutes left after going down under pressure from Pack.

Portsmouth then had their own claims waved away after Kal Naismith appeared to handle in the box in the second minute of added time.

That would prove to be the final dramatic moment with the relief of a welcome three points palpable around Kenilworth Road at the final whistle.

After 12 games with a win in the league, the Town have a win to celebrate.

Onto the next at Burnley.

We’ll see you then.

Town: Kaminski, Bell, Naismith, Makosso, Jones, Doughty (sub McGuinness 69) Clark, Walsh (sub Nelson 69), Aasgaard, Brown (sub Alli 57), Morris (sub Adebayo 90+3).

Subs not used: Krul, Andersen, Fanne, Nordås, Bowler.

Attendance: 11,616, including 1,323 from Portsmouth.