Pompey were well-beaten in the battle of League Two's form teams - leaving themselves needing to go on another winning run to shake off Stevenage's threat to their top three hopes.
Borough's 3-0 win on a miserable day in Hertfordshire for the Blues left them just four points behind Paul Cook's troops, who remain third.
With the likes of Luton and Carlisle slipping up again, Stevenage are emerging as the main threat to Pompey's aim of avoiding the play-offs by ending in the top three.
Cook had no complaints about the result, telling The News: ‘No arguments, Stevenage were excellent today, by far the better team, the result is what it is and we wish them well for the rest of the season.
‘It was nothing to do with Naismith and Bennett (being missing), we are a strong club and a strong squad, it wasn’t our day today. ‘I am sure Darren (Sarll) will take great pride in how his team played.'
Jack King gave Stevenage the lead just after the quarter-hour, profiting when Luke Wilkinson's shot came back off the bar. And it was 2-0 on 28 minutes as Jobi McAnuff set up top scorer Matt Godden to beat David Forde.
The game was up a minute into the second half when McAnuff made it three, this time after Godden had returned the earlier favour and set up the chance with an effort that Forde couldn't hold.
Pompey's day didn't get any better in the time that remained - first Charistian Burgess was sent off for a second bookable offence, then Conor Chaplin missed from the spot, chipping a weak attempt straight into the keeper's arms to continue the club's woeful penalty record this season.
The Blues now host Newport next Saturday knowing a victory is vital to keep the chasing pack at arm's length.
Pompey: Forde; T.Davies, Burgess, Clarke; Evans, Baker (Roberts 64), M.Doyle, Rose, Stevens; Hunt (Kabamba 64), E.Doyle (Chaplin 73). Subs not used: O’Brien, Talbot, Linganzi, Lowe
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 4,185 (1,390 Pompey fans)
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