Pompey's season continued to drift towards a forgettable conclusion as Bury boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a 1-0 win at sunny Fratton Park.
The only goal came in the dying stages of the first half when Ryan Lowe headed in Joe Riley's cross from the right.
Pompey had been the better side before that but struggled to repeat the same level of fluency in the second half as Bury held on with few scares.
Caretaker boss Gary Waddock gave a full debut to midfielder Ben Close, who showed up well, and the Blues brought on his fellow youth-team stars Conor Chaplin and - for his debut - Adam May. Waddock's faith in the youngsters is something fans will be keen to see in the remaining couple of games.
Jed Wallace was at the centre of Pompey's best attacks in the first half, twice drawing fine saves from Shakers keeper Nick Pope, one of them after a marauding run down the left.
Bury had more of the dangerous attacks after the break although Danny Hollands was close to an equaliser 11 minutes from time, just failing to get to a loose ball into the box before Pope, who was hurt in the collision.
Pompey: Jones; Devera, Nosworthy (Ertl 66), Webster, Shorey; Atangana, Close (May 85), Wallace, Hollands (c); Westcarr, Tubbs (Chaplin 70). Subs not used: Poke, Butler, Fogden.
Referee: James Adcock
Attendance: 14,569 (499 away fans)
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