That's that, then. Barring an unusual last couple of results for Pompey and a serious implosion by two of Charlton, Plymouth and Scunthorpe, the League One play-offs will not involve the Blues.

A 1-0 home defeat to Charlton in front of 19,000 at Fratton Park - about which the home team and their fans could not really argue - put paid to any lingering promotion hopes.

Pompey had their moments against Lee Bowyer's side but only in flashes, with none of the commitment and energy that saw off Wigan three weeks ago evident in a game where similar levels were needed.

Too many passes went astray, too many long balls asked too much of Brett Pitman - and when Pompey's best chances did arrive, in the second half, either Pitman was off-target or Charlton had a leg or body in the way.

Kenny Jackett's team were not helped by first half injuries to half the defence - Jack Whatmough and Nathan Thompson both went off at the break and the boss said afterwards they could both have seen their last action of the season.

The only goal came five minutes before the break at a time when Charlton were on top. A long ball from the back was headed by Josh Magennis on to Ian Ajose and he slid a shot beneath the advancing Luke McGee.

Afterwards Jackett told the club website: 'Charlton won the midfield right the way through the game and we really didn’t crack that area, perhaps missing the power of Anton Walkes.

'Ajose broke out into space — as he did on a few occasions — and it proved to be the decisive moment of the game. Our crowd were fantastic to really drive the players on through the second half and we created a lot of pressure.'

Pompey: McGee; Thompson (O’Keefe 46), Whatmough (Burgess 46), Clarke, Haunstrup (Ronan 66); Evans, Close, Donohue, Naismith; Lowe; Pitman. Subs not used: Bass, Kennedy, Chaplin, Hawkins

Referee: Mark Heywood

Attendance: 19,210 (2,448 away fans)

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