Hartlepool 0 Pompey 2 '“ Neil Allen's match report

Gary Roberts nets his goal at Victoria Park. Picture: Joe Pepler

The meteorological collaboration beamed a smile on Victoria Park at the game's culmination.

Beneath its glorious arc, the travelling fans rejoiced, while those architects of the impressive 2-0 triumph embraced.

As the saying goes, the greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow.

How those doggedly persisting with their Pompey affiliation have been weather-beaten, wind-swept and washed away during recent times.

Well, life as a football follower is presently locked on an upward trajectory. These are indeed the highs following sediment-scrambling lows.

And, with immaculate timing, a rainbow emerged in the Hartlepool skies to provide an enchanting soundtrack to the success story unfolding below.

Since the end of the Second World War, Pompey have basked in five promotion campaigns during 71 Football League seasons.

We are currently witnessing a magical sixth.

As the joyous 977 travellers chimed during their glide towards the Victoria Park exit, ‘Everything’s gonna be alright’.

Talk of promotion is not presumptuous, neither is it a demonstration of breaktaking arrogance.

With five victories in six matches since Crewe and eight wins and two defeats in 12 fixtures since Wycombe, Paul Cook’s side maintain a vice-like grip on their destiny.

At the self-styled business end of the season, the Blues are delivering admirably.

During that period, criticism over systems, the defence and the manager have shrunk to inaudible levels as this Pompey side march skywards.

They currently reside in the departure lounge – and now have six matches to ensure the flight to League One is caught.

Considering four of those encounters are scheduled to be held on home territory, you can surely forgive the mind galloping ahead to reflect on grounds to visit next season.

For while the rainbow rose from its slumber, there was actually a bolt of lightning which struck realisation into those gathered at Hartlepool on Saturday.

Cook’s side continue to look every inch a promotion team. What’s more, fate is running out of matches to conspire to dictate an alternative outcome.

The players were challenged to bounce back from Crewe to demonstrate they were capable of leading this club out of the Football League’s basement.

Their response as a squad has been nothing short of astonishing at a time when potential rivals are stuttering for form.

Divisional figures show Pompey are six points clear of fourth place, possess the second-best goal difference, boast the finest defensive record and the joint-second highest goalscoring mantle.