Missed penalty and late winner for winger on Boxing Day
A glimmer of hope was ignited when Danny Rose reduced Pompey’s two-goal deficit at Rodney Parade.
But that was snuffed out by a Kal Naismith penalty that flew over the Newport crossbar just past the hour mark.
Groans were replaced by cheers as Enda Stevens did find a leveller, however, before Naismith then redeemed himself with a late free-kick winner.
And the Scottish winger was delighted to complete a dramatic turnaround that cuts the gap between the Blues and the top three to five points.
He said: “It was a great feeling – one of the best that we’ve had so far this season.
“We were always in the game and I thought we played well, but we had to battle back from two goals down.
“It was important that we kept fighting and we managed to get one after a great run into the box by Rosey.
“Then there was the penalty and when other people miss them, I tell them to get on with it, but of course it’s disappointing.
“So I just told myself to keep going because I knew that we could still get ourselves back into the match.
“Enda’s got unbelievable energy. He manages to pop up in those dangerous positions and thankfully he was able to put one away.
“From that point I thought that we were the only team who would go on to get a winner and I was just delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net.
“I just had to put it into the right area, so that if someone got a slight nick – or if everyone missed it – then you’ve got a chance.
“We’re only halfway through the season, but to win a game in that manner is just an amazing feeling.”