Ten-man Pompey almost staged an FA Cup comeback to remember against Stevenage, but it ultimely proved too little too late and the club's miserable record in the competition goes on.
When Gavin Mahon was sent off with more than a quarter of the game to go and Pompey trailing 2-0, it looked like being a very miserable afternoon indeed against their League 1 hosts.
But Pompey showed tremendous character, coupled with a reshuffle on the field, and in the end Stevenage were hanging on as Pompey swarmed forward.
David Connolly, on as a substitute at half time, scored from close range to cut the deficit with 19 minutes to go, but by them Pompey were already trailing after a couple of defensive nightmares in the opening half.
It had started quite well as Pompey dominated the opening exchanges, prompted by Jed Wallace's early effort which came back off a post.
But they were undone in the ninth minute when Joe Devera was skinnned down the left flank and despite a good save from Carson from the first effort, Zoko was on hand to poke the ball home.
The goal lifted Stevenage and punctured Pompey's confidence and Carson had to be alert a couple of times to keep his side in the game.
Six minutes from the break though Pompey found themselves with the proverbial mountain to climb as Moutaouakil stood off his man and Zoko beat him far too easily and fired home under the diving Carson.
Early in the second half it looked to be all sewn up when Gavin Mahon made a rash challenge and saw a straight red card, which few on the field seemed prepared to contest.
Whittingham had already made two substitutions at the break, with East replacing the hapless Moutaouakil and Connolly coming on for Agyemang, who has struggled to make an impression against his former team.
However, Pompey rolled up their sleeves and started to claw their way back into the game.
Once Connolly scored, Stevenage clearly wilted and the introduction of Holmes for skipper Ertl was a bold move which came close to paying off.
Suddenly it was all Pompey, although the hosts still posed a threat on the break, but despite creating a number of good situations, they couldn't quite finish them off.
They also seemed to have a good shout for a penalty when Barcham was clearly nudged in the box, but the referee was having nothing of it.
In the end it was a frustrating afternoon for Pompey, who genuinely deserved a replay out of the game.
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Last match: Stevenage 2 Pompey 1 - FA Cup Round 1
Goals: Connolly
Team: Carson; Moutaouakil (East), Bradley, N'Gala, Devera; Barcham, Ertl, (Holmes), Mahon, Wallace; Bird, Agyemang (Connolly)
Attendance: 2,829
Next Match: Newport Away - JPT 3 -7.45pm
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