A 2-1 win at home to fellow hopefuls Wycombe all but confirmed Pompey's place in the League Two play-offs.
One more point will make absolutely sure but with three games to go it does seem the end of season knockouts are where the Blues are heading.
This win, courtesy of goals by Gary Roberts and Conor Chaplin, means the Chairboys can't make the play-offs themselves.
With Christian Burgess and Gary Roberts over injuries and back in the starting line-up, and Kal Naismith also getting a start, Pompey had the best of the first half with Roberts influential and Gareth Evans also a threat.
Marc McNulty and Roberts both tested keeper Ryan Allsop and it was Roberts who fired the Blues ahead eight minutes before the break, scoring from close in after McNulty set him up.
Pompey's only regret at half-time would have been that they were not more than one goal ahead.
Gozie Ugwu was close to a Wycombe equaliser a minute into the second period before Pompey regained control.
Chaplin and the rarely-seen Kieron Freeman came on with a shade under 30 minutes left and seven minutes later Chaplin ran to an excellent Michael Doyle pass and squeezed a shot under Allsop.
Out of sight? Not quite - this is Pompey after all. Wycombe got one back when Sido Jombati converted a free-kick following a foul by Marcus Bean a little way outside the area.
Freeman had to clear an effort off the line as Wanderers threatened an equaliser but Pompey looked as likely to score the game's fourth goal as the visitors.
Pompey now go to Wimbledon on Tuesday night aiming to cement their position in the play-off zone and perhaps make the teams above them look over their shoulders one final time.
Pompey: Jones; Davies (Freeman 60), Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Hollands, Doyle (c); Evans, Roberts, Naismith (McGurk 77); McNulty (Chaplin 60). Subs not used: Murphy, Barton, Close, Smith
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 16,187 (737 away fans)
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