The strong winds ensured that it was never going to be a contest brimming with quality on the Fylde coast.
But an early goal from Callum Connolly was enough for Fleetwood to secure all three points and leapfrog Pompey into the top six.
Kenny Jackett admitted that the conditions played a part in a display that was lacking any kind of attacking rhythm.
But he felt his side were not quick enough to adapt to them, as they failed to really test Alex Cairns between the sticks.
The Blues boss said: “We didn’t start particularly well, although were under pressure because that was the way the wind was blowing.
“But I still felt we were a yard off and didn’t defend with our usual sharpness and they deserved their lead at the break because we didn’t do enough.
"For all of our huff and puff, we couldn’t find those crucial openings or clear-cut chances to get us back in the game
“Some of our decision making out there wasn’t quite right and we I just didn’t think we looked like our usual selves.
“I was expecting us to come back in the second half when the wind – which did play a part – was with us.
“For all of our huff and puff, though, we couldn’t find those crucial openings or clear-cut chances to get us back in the game.
“The closest we came was from Sean Raggett’s header that beat the keeper, but was cleared off the line.
“Ronan Curtis also had a moment or two in terms of balls across the box, although ultimately we didn’t have those combinations up front to get any goals.
“You have to adapt to the conditions and come through it because you know what you’re going to get when you come up here at this time of year.”
Ellis Harrison was initially named in the starting line-up, but replaced by Oli Hawkins just before kick-off.
Jackett explained: “He trained on Friday and thought he was 100 per cent, but he pulled out of the warm-up because he was still feeling that dead leg.
“We were obviously disappointed, but everyone knew their roles and I don’t think we can really use that as an excuse.”