For the second away game in a row, Kal Naismith scored a vital late goal - and for the second away game in a row, Pompey came home with all three points.
At Luton last month Naismith's goal came with Pompey 2-1 up and made sure of the win - at Blundell Park today it was even more important, his free-kick breaking the deadlock to keep up the Blues' excellent recent record on the road and move them ever-closer to the League Two top three.
Pompey were on top from the start and, with an unchanged team from the loss to Stevenage, they dominated from the off.
Kyle Bennett caused early problems for the Mariners defence, drawing keeper James McKeown into one fine save, before Danny Rose went close from more than 20 yards out.
Omar Bogle had Grimsby's best first half effort with a free kick that was too high while Carl Baker and Gary Roberts forced further saves from the home No1.
Michael Smith almost gave Pompey the lead just after the break with a low shot and at the other end David Forde's first serious action came from an Ashley Chambers volley that the Pompey stopper did well to keep out.
Bennett looked like he'd won Pompey a penalty when he was brought down by Zak Mills but the referee ruled that it was inches outside and the same player put the free kick wide.
Naismith and Conor Chaplin came on for Roberts and Bennett with 14 minutes to go and it was to prove an inspired change.
After a couple of Grimsby spells of pressure caused headaches for the Pompey defence the visitors attacked and won a free kick almost 25 yards out. Naismith claimed it and stepped up to curl an exquisite shot beyond the keeper's dive and just inside the post.
The large travelling Blues army behind that goal went wild and Pompey hung on for a win that put them closer to Doncaster and Carlisle just above them in the top four.
It's Hartlepool at home next - can Pompey build on an away win with one at home? It would make a pleasant change...
Pompey (4-2-3-1): Forde; Evans, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Rose, Doyle (c); Baker, Roberts (Naismith 76), Bennett (Chaplin 76); Smith (Hunt 89). Subs not used: O’Brien, T.Davies, Linganzi, Lalkovic
Referee: Andy Haines
Attendance: 6,560 (1,110 Pompey fans)
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