Pompey ensured it was a happy new year by returning to winning ways with victory over Stevenage at Fratton Park.

They controlled the first half and took an early lead through Paddy Lane, only for Louis Thompson to nod the visitors back on level terms.

But a neat finish from Colby Bishop made it 2-1 before the interval and that is the way the scoreline stayed.

And a disappointing afternoon was made worse for Boro in stoppage-time as Nathan Thompson and assistant boss Paul Raynor were both deservedly dismissed.

John Mousinho made two changes from the side that were held to a draw at Exeter on Friday evening.

Joe Morrell and Abu Kamara were both restored to the starting line-up, as Terry Devlin and Gavin Whyte moved to the bench.

Former Pompey duo Dan Butler and Louis Thompson were both selected by the visitors, with Nathan Thompson and Ben Thompson on the bench.

There was an immediate sign of improvement from the hosts on their previous matches over the festive period.

They passed the ball around neatly and looked to exploit any gaps they could find in the Boro back-line.

And the deadlock was almost broken when Bishop lifted a pass towards Alex Robertson, whose close-range header was pushed over the bar by Taye Ashby-Hammond.

The Blues did go ahead on 12 minutes through LANE, with the forward starting and finishing the move.

He stole the ball from Dan Sweeney and received it back via Bishop and Robertson before hitting a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

The advantage might have been doubled when Bishop’s flick then sent Kamara racing through on goal.

He did well to hold off the challenge of Butler, but with just Ashby-Hammond to beat, could only hook wide.

Pompey were then indebted to Will Norris for preserving their lead, with the keeper making a superb save to deny Jordan Roberts from point-blank range.

But Stevenage were level on 26 minutes, as Thompson came back to haunt his former club by converting Jamie Reid’s cross with a fine header.

The hosts quickly recovered from that setback, however, regaining control and probing their opponents.

So it came as no surprise when they went back ahead before the break, as Lane sent in a low centre that was converted by a deft BISHOP back-heel.

Half Time: Pompey 2 Stevenage 1

The visitors made a triple switch at the start of the second half, with the other two Thompsons among those to be introduced.

But Pompey were still looking to get on the attack and when Morrell was brought down, Marlon Pack bent the free-kick narrowly past the post.

They were not looking quite as fluent as before the break, although were still pretty much in control of the contest.

And there was an excellent chance to provide a cushion just past the hour mark, when Ashby-Hammond’s clearance flew straight to Kamara.

He raced through on goal, but the keeper recovered to make the save and Nathan Thompson then flung himself in front of Morrell’s follow-up effort.

Stevenage were not causing too many problems at the other end, although Reid diverted Nick Freeman’s cross into the side netting.

But they had a chance to level when Reid broke through, only for Norris and Conor Shaughnessy to combine and make a block.

A follow-up shot appeared to hit the defender’s hand, although it was down by his side and referee Charles Breakspear ignored Boro’s penalty appeals.

With the visitors starting to look more threatening, Mousinho freshened things up by replacing Lane with Devlin.

And another Blues switch soon followed on 83 minutes, as Christian Saydee was brought on for Robertson.

The display of six additional minutes gave Stevenage hope of salvaging point, but they were reduced to 10 men in stoppage-time.

Nathan Thompson – who had already been booked – had his foot far too high and caught Saydee in the face, earning a straight red card.

Raynor had been shown a yellow at the break for dissent and his non-stop complaints also led to a sending off.

Kamara was denied the chance to wrap things up by a last-gasp Ashby-Hammond save, but Pompey had already done enough to ensure they started 2024 with a win.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Pack (c), Morrell; Kamara, Robertson (Saydee 83 (Stevenson 90+8)), Lane (Devlin 78); Bishop
Goals: Lane 12, Bishop 33
Booked: Pack, Rafferty, Norris
Subs not used: Schofield, Towler, Whyte, Scully

Stevenage (4-2-3-1): Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Sweeney (N.Thompson 46), Piergianni (c), Butler; L.Thompson (Hemmings 60), Burns (B.Thompson 46); List (Forster-Caskey 46), Freeman, Roberts (MacDonald 87); Reid
Goals: L.Thompson 26
Sent off: N.Thompson
Booked: L.Thompson, Sweeney, Freeman, Roberts, Piergianni, N.Thompson
Subs not used: Hegyi, Pressley

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 18,891 (592 away fans)