RICKIE Lambert described scoring in front of the Saints supporters at Fratton Park as one of the greatest feelings of his life.

The striker sent the thousands of visiting fans that had braved the trip to Portsmouth wild when he headed in Danny Fox’s free kick to give Nigel Adkins’ men a second half lead.

Joel Ward’s late equaliser would spoil the day for Lambert and Saints in the end.

But the Championship’s leading scorer insisted he would never forget the moment he put his side in front.

“It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had to score in front of our fans at Fratton Park,” said Lambert, who now has 17 goals this season.

“It’s something you dream of, but it’s just disappointing we didn’t go on to win.”

Lambert admitted he couldn’t see any way back for Pompey after Saints had taken the lead.

“It did surprise me,” he said of Ward’s leveller.

“Obviously, we’re all very disappointed, because it was clear for everyone to see that we dominated the game and they didn’t look like scoring.

“So we’re disappointed, but we’ve got to take a lot of confidence from that and go on to our next game now.”

More Saints v Pompey reaction in today's Southern Daily Echo.