by Neil Weld at Fratton Park
A freak late goal from James Loveridge saw Pompey crash out of the FA Youth Cup against Swansea.
The Blues created more chances than their Welsh opponents and took the lead through Alex Grant just after the hour mark.
But Henry Jones’ stunning free-kick levelled the fourth round tie, before an apparent cross from Loveridge looped into the net.
The game was slow to get into gear with neither side creating any chances in the opening stages.
There were at least a couple of probing runs from Australian winger Ryan Williams and right-back Elliot Wheeler to get the crowd – which included first-team stars Joel Ward, Marko Futacs and Benjani and boss Michael Appleton – excited, though.
And Pompey grew stronger as the half progressed with Williams making space for himself in the box, before seeing his low shot turned around the post by Swans keeper Oliver Davies on 13 minutes.
Williams was looking very lively and he was the source of another Blues opportunity moments later.
The 18-year-old bamboozled the visitors’ defence with a mazy run before picking out Wheeler, whose ball into the box was headed inches wide by George Colson.
Swansea looked more relaxed later in the half, but Matt Gledhill was still a virtual spectator in Pompey’s goal.
The Blues, however, were looking more likely to score and Ashley Harris curled a 25-yard free-kick over the crossbar on 36 minutes.
Soon after Swansea finally registered their first shot, but Gledhill was untroubled by a Loveridge effort that flew past the post.
Pompey’s keeper had to be at his best to stop the visitors taking the lead in stoppage time, however. Gledhill somehow managed to get a hand to Jones’ close-range header and palm the ball to safety.
Half Time: Pompey 0 Swansea 0
It was the hosts who were first to threaten after the interval as Harris’ corner caused chaos in the Swans box, before the visitors eventually managed to hack the ball clear.
And the Blues made their pressure count when GRANT broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. The defender steered the ball home after Colson had headed Dan Butler’s corner back across goal.
The lead lasted less than three minutes, but it took a special strike to beat Gledhill as Jones let fly with a 30-yard free-kick that thundered into the net.
Pompey should have regained their advantage on 73 minutes when Williams picked out an unmarked Colson in the box, but the midfielder fired over.
Harris then swung a dangerous cross into the box, but Davies just managed to beat Blues skipper Sam Magri to the ball.
It looked like the game was heading into extra-time as the clock ticked down. That was until Pompey conceded a cruel goal four minutes from the end.
Swansea striker Loveridge tried to send in a cross, but the ball drifted over Gledhill and nestled in the net.
Pompey tried to hit back in the dying seconds, but the closest they came was a Butler free-kick that evaded everyone on its way out for a goal-kick.
Pompey: Gledhill; Wheeler, Magri (c), Grant, Butler; Wallace, Awford (Thompson 84), Colson; Maloney, Williams; Harris (Warren 90)
Goals: Grant 62
Booked: Colson
Subs not used: Triggs, Branford, Higgins
Swansea: Davies; Shephard, Tancock, Atyeo, Pike (c) (Waters 21); Sheehan, Jones, Zola; Bray (Clark 90), Williams; Loveridge
Goals: Jones 65, Loveridge 86
Booked: Jones, Loveridge, Zola
Subs not used: Elsey, Hurrell, Roberts
Referee: Craig Hicks