TOWN gave a hint of things to come as they got the better of Portsmouth in a Fourth Division battle of the sleeping giants.
Ian Robins and Peter Fletcher scored the goals in a 2-0 win in front of just 2,895 at Leeds Road.
A year later, both Town and Pompey were to win promotion, with 16,540 watching their clash in West Yorkshire and 19,203 at Fratton Park.
Pompey won both those clashes, 3-1 away and 4-1 at home, but Mick Buxton's Town still won the divisional title, with Robins notching 25 and Fletcher 17 of their 101 goals.
Canny boss Buxton, who had stepped up from coach to become manager when Tom Johnston resigned in September 1978, had built an entertaining team on a tight budget, and by the time Frank Burrows' Pompey headed North in April 1979, things were really starting to come together under the former Burnley player.
Robins had been recruited from Bury early in Buxton's reign, replacing the creative Kevin Johnson and forming a solid partnership with ex-Manchester United youngster Fletcher, who had arrived from Stockport during the summer.
Other mainstays of the side were raiding full-back Malcolm Brown, centre-backs Dave Sutton and Keith Hanvey, tenacious midfielder Peter Hart and skilful winger Dave Cowling.
The other members of the starting XI against Pompey were keeper Alan Starling, Phil Sandercock, Ian Holmes and Terry Gray, who was soon to leave for Southend.
Paul Bielby was the unused Town sub.
Buxton had no real need to alter anything, with Starling a virtual spectator as Pompey were commanded.
It wasn't until future Town manager Eoin Hand came off the bench in the 69th minute that the visitors showed any kind of shape and purpose.
And by that stage, Town had the game sewn up after Robins' 15th goal of the season in the ninth minute and Fletcher's 13th, from the penalty spot in the 53rd.
The move which led to Robins' goal was started by Sutton, who flighted a lovely pass out to Fletcher on the right.
He beat full-back Keith Viney and advanced, putting in an accurate cross for Robins to slot the ball past stranded goalkeeper Peter Mellor.
The penalty came when Brown crossed to Robins, who was sandwiched by Peter Denyer and Steve Davey, with Chorley referee Norman Glover showing no hesitation in making his decision.
Despite an unnerving two-minute wait while Robins received treatment, Fletcher drove the ball past the helpess Mellor with ease.
Town could have made it three a minute later, when Hanvey hurled in a long throw and Robins climbed above two defenders to back-head to Fletcher, who shot just over.
