Patrick Antelmi (pictured) fired a late winner as Pompey Academy continued their unbeaten pre-season run against Exeter at the weekend.
Prior to the Blues substitute’s goal it looked like Pompey – for all their dominance – would have to settle for a draw.
Exeter keeper Jake Viney kept Pompey at bay with several fine saves, while his counterpart Matt Gledhill was virtually untroubled.
Ryan Williams was twice denied by Viney as the Blues pressed for the all important breakthrough.
And the woodwork was also frustrating Pompey – Lewis Stockford struck the underside of the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.
The one-way traffic continued after the break as Williams saw his effort – that looked destined for the net – blocked.
Then both Carl Walshe and Stockford came close, but both were denied by the impressive Viney.
The keeper continued to keep out everything that was thrown him but, with the final whistle imminent, Pompey took one final throw of the dice.
ANTELMI let fly with a left-footed effort which finally had the beating of Viney as it flew into the net.
Pompey: Gledhill, Wheeler, Bennett, Grant, Butler, Williams, Tsovolos, Stockford, Harris, Seeley, Walshe
Subs: Emsden, Triggs, Colson, Fitzharris, Tallack, Higgins, Antelmi, Jennings
Exeter: Viney, Concannen, Pike, Moore, Wannell, Taylor, Ingham, Searle, Phillips, Knowles, Nicholls
Subs: Kane, Roper, Kennell