RYAN Clarke was thrilled to preserve his perfect record against Matt Tubbs on the way to a hard-fought clean sheet at Fratton Park.

Oxford United’s keeper produced one of his best performances of the season in a goalless draw where Portsmouth created the lion’s share of the chances.

Clarke’s afternoon was crowned by two outstanding saves in the first half to deny Jed Wallace and Tubbs.

The 32-year-old took particular pleasure in tipping over a header from the latter, who has never managed to score against his former teammate.

He said: “I’ve played against him a number of times since we were at Salisbury together and fortunately I’ve always come out on top.

“He’s a great player and likes to cheat a little bit by coming off the shoulder.

“He had a couple of chances, so it was nice to get a fingertip on the header. You don’t think you’re going to get there, but you just can’t give anything up.

“You surprise yourself afterwards and think ‘how did I keep that out?’ because it was destined to go in.

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“I think the better save was the (Wallace) one.

“I thought it was going in, but I managed to get down and got a fingernail on it.”

It was only the second time this season United have kept successive clean sheets.

And Clarke was quick to spread the praise to the rest of the side for the role they played to thwart Portsmouth.

He said: “I didn’t have too much to do in the second half and that was down to the boys in front putting a great shift in and making some great tackles and blocks.

“It’s not just me, we can all take satisfaction from keeping a clean sheet.”