Connolly read the riot act to his Pompey team-mates after a terrible first-half performance against the Shakers at Fratton Park. Caretaker boss Guy Whittingham’s side went in level at the break against Kevin Blackwell’s side. But they could easily have been behind as the visitors carved out a host of chances. Connolly felt the display was the worst he had seen from a side in some time. But Pompey upped their game after the break – with the 35-year-old the catalyst for the win. Connolly opened the scoring five minutes after the restart and then added a second on 65 minutes. Both goals showed the striker’s clinical nature. But he was unhappy with what he saw on the pitch in the opening half. That led to him making his feelings clear in the Pompey dressing room. Connolly said: ‘We were terrible in the first-half. ‘It was awful to be honest and we were lucky not to be losing. ‘It was the worst performance I’ve seen in a long time. ‘We can’t have one good game and then play like that. ‘Sometimes you can see it in the warm-up when there’s a poor tempo. ‘You end up carrying that into the game – and that’s what happened. ‘There were a few words at half-time and rightly so but you shouldn’t have to do that. ‘On another day we could have been two or three goals down by that stage. ‘You don’t want to keep moaning but it has to come from within. ‘You can’t accept it. It was so poor. ‘But we put it right in the second-half and got the three points. ‘I don’t think it would have been possible to play as bad as we did in the first-half again. ‘We improved and played some decent stuff. ‘We were worthy winners on the second-half performance.’ Connolly’s goals took his tally to four in three games. The former Republic of Ireland international believes that return is all about him being given ammunition to get a decent return. Connolly feels he is finding his feet after arriving at the club at the end of last year. He remains confident there are more goals in the offing for him over the remainder of the season. Connolly said: ‘Jed (Wallace) did well for the first goal and the keeper spilled Johnny’s (Ertl) shot for the second. ‘If you give me the ball in the box I’m confident I’ll score goals. ‘Our quality getting to the box wasn’t there in the first-half but it was in the second. That’s the difference. ‘I’m pleased enough with my form but it’s all dependant on how you get to the box. If I get a few chances I’m confident I’ll get one or two. I got two on Saturday. ‘Unless you are special and can create something out of nothing you are dependant on service. ‘I’d love to get more chances and if that happens I believe I’ll take them and there’s more goals to be had.’