ROVERS made it a magnificent seven wins in a row to progress through to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Benni McCarthy gave the visiting fans plenty to cheer when he turned well to fire past David James after twelve minutes, but it was a strong defensive performance who kept Portsmouth at bay until Morten Gamst Pedersen fired home from close-range to finish off the home side.

Kanu grabbed a late consolation with the last move of the game, but it will be the first half injuries to Aaron Mokoena and David Bentley that will cause manager Mark Hughes more concern.

South African Mokoena came back on after receiving treatment only to collapse to the ground holding his knee, he was eventually stretchered off. David Bentley soon followed down the tunnel as he too picked up a knock, injuries which no doubt will concern the Rovers management with important Barclays Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester United next on the horizon.

Before the game Mark Hughes made the most the squad at his disposal by making five changes from the side that had started in the 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane last Sunday, just goal-hero Christopher Samba retained his place in the heart of the defence with Zurab Khizanishvili, Ryan Nelsen and Bruno Berner all coming in.

There were also two changes in midfield, as expected Aaron Mokoena came in to replace the injured Robbie Savage, whilst Morten Gamst Pedersen got the nod over Tugay.

The only place where there wasn't a change, was with the forward line, Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz forming the strike partnership, and it didn't take long for one of those to get on the scoresheet.

There had been little to excite the crowed in the opening ten minutes except for a headed chance that Christopher Samba put over much to his annoyance, but the band of travelling Rovers fans were soon celebrating as Benni McCarthy put the visitors in front on twelve minutes.

It was David Bentley who started the move, getting the better of Noe Pamarot to put over a cross from the right, it was eventually knocked back to Aaron Mokoena on the edge of the area, he resisted the opportunity to shoot himself, opting instead to set up his team-mate of club and country, McCarthy controlling the ball before turning and beating David James from six yards out for his eighth goal of the season thus far.

Set-pieces appeared to be Portsmouth's best chance of getting back on level terms, but from one such Niko Kranjcar corner kick, Mokoena acrobatically cleared the ball, but injured himself in the process. After treatment the South African captain came back onto the pitch but crumpled to the ground. After four minutes of treatment Mokoena was stretchered off the field of play, his place taken by Brett Emerton.

The game was very stop-start, very few passes strung together, both sides having long-range efforts that troubled neither 'keeper.

Eight minutes before the break Rovers' injury situation got worse when David Bentley limped out of action, his place taken by Matt Derbyshire.

Thankfully the patched up Rovers side held onto their lead until half time with comparative ease.

Whilst both of Rovers' changes were unscheduled, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp made two changes at the break by his own choosing. Looking to kick-start their second half, Matt Taylor and David Nugent were brought on with Pamarot and Diop making way.

The change almost paid immediate dividends when a quick corner kick caught Rovers on the hop and David Nugent somehow headed two yards wide with the goal at his mercy, just before the hour mark Brad Friedel had to be sharp to deny John Utaka.

It was backs to the walls stuff for Mark Hughes' men in the first fifteen minutes of the second half as the patched-up Rovers struggled to get any period of possession, yet somehow it was Rovers who created the best chance.

From a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner kick the ball came out to Christopher Samba and he unleashed an exocet of a shot that seemed destined for the top corner of the net until David James pulled off a fantastic save to stop Rovers from doubling their lead. The ball was struck as well, if not better, than the effort that netted Rovers all three points on Sunday.

But that was a brief respite as Portsmouth continued to press Rovers back into their own half, but despite winning a hatful of corner kicks, they rarely threatened, the new-look Rovers defence held strong.

But the prospect of a nervy last ten minutes were soon banished as Rovers grabbed a second goal against the run of play, Benni McCarthy caught Pedro Mendes napping, he released the ball to Roque Santa Cruz, who in turn saw his pass arrive at the feet of Morten Gamst Pedersen and the Norwegian blasted the ball home at the near post past David James in an instant.

That second goal killed off Portsmouth, the wind well and truly taken out of their sails as Rovers looked comfortable in seeing the final minutes out. There was even time for Mark Hughes to give a senior debut to 18 year-old winger Keith Treacy, but disappointingly the last act of the game was for Kanu to get his regulation goal against Rovers, for once the Nigerian evaded the clutches of Ryan Nelsen to head home to just blot the defensive copybook on an otherwise excellent evening.

So Rovers progress through to the last eight of the competition with their seventh consecutive victory, but how costly those injuries picked up will prove to be remains to be seen.

PORTSMOUTH: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot (sub Taylor 46 mins), Utaka, Diop (sub Nugent 46 mins), Mendes, Davis, Kranjcar, Benjani (sub Kanu 75 mins).

Subs not used: Lauren, Ashdown (GK).

ROVERS: Friedel, Khizanishvili, Samba, Nelsen (c), Berner, Bentley (sub Derbyshire 38 mins), Mokoena (sub Emerton 28 mins), Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy (sub Treacy 90 mins).

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Ooijer.

Booked: Diop, Davis (Portsmouth), Berner, Dunn (Rovers)

Attendance: 11,788