After Pompey had edged past a gutsy Walsall side, whose lively performance belied their lowly status, all the talk afterwards centred on referee Grant Hegley whose eccentric display bewildered and at times angered the players, officials and supporters of both camps equally.

Pompey manager Harry Redknapp said: "People talk about the difference in quality between the teams in the Premiership and the First Division, but there is equally a massive gap in the standard of refereeing.

"When I see performances like that from a referee, it scares me.

"I was sitting there wondering what he was going to do next. After giving them two penalties and then, in stoppage time, a free-kick on the edge of the area, I was waiting for him to give them an equaliser. The referee lost it."

Even Walsall manager Colin Lee was unhappy, particularly when Pompey's Paul Ritchie escaped being sent off after bringing down George Leitao, which brought the Saddlers a questionable penalty that Danny Sonner converted on 31 minutes.

Lee said: "Our player is clear, he's been fouled, a penalty is given, but there is no card at all. He was the last man and should have been sent off."

Pompey got off to their now customary slow start, which Redknapp acknowledged. "We didn't start on the front foot, but it's difficult when you have a number of players who haven't trained all week," he explained.

"Hayden Foxe was doubtful, Paul Merson had to have a pain-killing injection beforehand, and Paul Ritchie hasn't played or trained for three weeks or so. But Walsall are a good side and I was very impressed. I can see why they are on a terrific scoring run.

Almost inevitably, Pompey's win came at a cost, with striker Vincent Pericard limping off with a torn calf muscle which will keep him out for some weeks.

Redknapp grumbled: "I now have only two fit forwards on the books - Todorov and Burchill - and that will not carry us through the seven or eight game spell from now into the New Year.

"Every decent team has at least four front-men to choose from. It's ridiculous that a club looking to go into the Premiership can have just two senior forwards left on their books until the end of the year.

"Without a doubt, now is the time for us to strengthen the squad. I need to bring a front-man in straight away.

"It's not a case of spending money - there are frees or loans around. I know where we can find a couple of players".

Spurs striker Les Ferdinand was mentioned, and Redknapp commented: "I'd like to bring Les here - he would be a great signing.

"I'd like to take him till the end of the season and, if all went well, I would make it permanent from next season".

After having the territorial advantage, Walsall looked likely to take their lead into the half-time break, but a stunning 20-yard volley from midfielder Nigel Quashie in first half stoppage time brought an equaliser.

The ever inspirational Merson sprang to life in the second half to swing the game Pompey's way and it was his telling burst down the left which brought a corner on 58 minutes.

After Pericard had played the kick back to him, the former Arsenal man floated a perfect cross onto the head of Svetoslav Todorov, who firmly headed into the far corner on 58 minutes.

But ten minutes later there was more controversy when Sonner fell theatrically under a Ritchie challenge. Again Hegley gave the penalty and Sonner picked himself up to level.

The referee's decisions were bringing frustration on and off the pitch, culminating in a 16-man fracas after Pompey's Kevin Harper had been floored in an off-the-ball incident missed by the officials. Despite handing out six cautions for minor offences in the game, Hegly chose not to display any cards in the face of this unseemly disturbance.

But all the frustration with the man in the black was forgotten on 76 minutes when Pompey grabbed the winner through Matthew Taylor