A cracking finish from James Dunne set Pompey on the way to a much-needed victory over Dagenham & Redbridge at Fratton Park.
The midfielder's 20-yard strike settled the nerves near the end of a first half in which Pompey hsd enjoyed plenty of possession but had shown very little threat in the final third.
With Patrick Agyemang, Joe Devera and Dan Butler all back in the starting line-up, the Blues struggled to get in behind the Daggers defence for much of the first half.
Jed Wallace had a couple of half-chances which keeper Mark Cousins saved without too much trouble, but five minutes before the break Agyemang laid a pass to Dunne just outside the area and he fired in convincingly to bring Fratton to life.
Pompey never looked uncomfortable with their lead after the break but equally didn't look like they were going to run away with.
The Daggers lost Andre Boucaud to a red card just after the hour mark and eight minutes later the game was up.
Paul Robinson was bundled over in the box and Wallace put away the penalty without too much trouble.
Agyemang came off to a great reception from a crowd appreciative of his efforts on his first start for a while, and the introduction of Miles Storey and Andy Barcham gave the visitors plenty to think about in the closing stages.
Storey had a goal ruled out for offside after Craig Westcarr set him up, but Wallace's cross was put away by Barcham in injury time to secure the victory and put Pompey back up to ninth spot.
Manager Andy Awford told The News: 'The first goal to unlock the door was either going to be a silly mistake when the lad nearly scored the own goal or a moment of magic.
‘Dunney produced that moment of magic which gave us the confidence we needed. And once the second goes in it could have been anything at the end.’
Pompey must aim to build on the win - their first in the league in four games - when they entertain Wycombe on Saturday.
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