John Mousinho is describing Pompey's trip to Exeter on Friday night as huge - as he reflects on a defeat at Bristol Rovers he regards as a real setback.
The Blues were beaten by an injury time winner for the Gas at the Memorial Ground, having got back into the game through Paddy Lane's equaliser in the second half.
Pompey's lead at the top of League One is down to four points with Peterborough and Bolton both breathing down their necks and with Mousinho's men having taken just a point from their past two games.
The Pompey boss told the club media: 'It was a real hammer blow to concede so late on – especially after the effort we’ve put in for 95 minutes. I thought we deserved at least a point and when we did equalise, we looked the side more likely to go on and score again.
'There was chance after chance in their box, but we just couldn’t quite put the ball in the back of the net again. We need to do better there. There were some goalmouth scrambles, we got ourselves into good positions and Christian Saydee dragged one just wide.
'We were fine in the first half and controlled the game, without really creating a huge amount because of a lack of quality in the final third. However, there were a few rash decisions after the break that led to them getting the upper hand and having the crowd onside.
'We made some changes in terms of personnel and the shape, deservedly finding ourselves back in the contest. I thought there were some disappointing aspects of the performance that of course we have to address.
'But there wasn’t a huge amount for me to fault, except perhaps our game management right at the end. It’s another big test for the boys and we’ll have to go away to Exeter for what’s going to be a huge match.'