Conor Chaplin hasn't played too big a part in League One life for Pompey but he certainly staked a good claim to come into Kenny Jackett's plans on a more regular basis with a late winner against MK Dons.
Matt Clarke appeared to have salvaged a point for the Blues with an equaliser as a 6,000-strong travelling army cheered on Jackett's men at Stadium MK.
But one point turned to three when supersub Chaplin pounced three minutes into stoppage time.
With Stephen Henderson injured and Christian Burgess suspended, Jackett brought Luke McGee back into goal - and he was to have an outstanding afternoon - while Brett Pitman started up front and Oli Hawkins dropped back to partner Clarke in defence.
There was little between the sides in the first half although neither team displayed too much quality in the final third.
Connor Ronan, Gareth Evans and Dion Donohue all tested MK keeper Lee Nicholls - but crucially it was the home side who were the only ones to make one chance count before the break.
That came on 21 minutes whwn Kieran Agard's close-range shot was well saved by McGee but fell to Ike Ugbo, who made hard work of putting away the loose ball.
Pitman almost levelled before the break but Jackett felt his team needed a shake-up and he provided it for the start of the second half with Chaplin and Jamal Lowe coming on.
Pitman went close a couple of times - but so did MK, who were denied on more than one occasion by superb saves by McGee.
Eventually Pompey got the equaliser as a short corner was crossed into the six yard box and Clarke rose highest to power a header home.
After that both sides had one last chance to win - and Pompey took theirs.
An MK free-kick whizzed just past McGee's post before Donohue found space for a cross that fell to Chaplin, who converted - to the delight of the 6,000.
It was Pompey's first away win in nine weeks and first win of any kind in six weeks.
Next up it's Blackburn at Fratton Park on Tuesday night, with the Blues ninth and just three points behind sixth place.
Pompey: McGee; Walkes, Hawkins, Clarke, Donohue; Thompson, Close; Evans, Ronan (Chaplin 46), Kennedy (Lowe 46); Pitman. Subs not used: Bass, Deslandes, Widdrington, May, Naismith
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