It was arguably tenser than it needed to be in the closing stages at Fratton Park.
Pompey were leading Plymouth 1-0 after Kal Naismith had stolen the ball from keeper Remi Matthews and slotted home in the first half.
But there were chances to double the advantage, as the hosts came roaring out of the traps following the interval.
Naismith was denied a second when he hit the post, but the slender lead ensured a nervy finale and Kenny Jackett was pleased with the way his side saw the game out.
The Blues boss said: “We’ve need to find the goalscoring equation with Brett being out and Naismith has got a key one for us on this occasion.
“We had a spell at the start of the second half when we played very good football and created a lot of chances.
"There were a lot of long throws into our box late on and we showed a very good attitude to negate them in a tense period."
“At that point we were looking to get goal number two and perhaps even three, but they just didn’t come.
“We were a bit unlucky and Kal hit the post, but the emphasis then changed and we had to show our battling qualities.
“There were a lot of long throws into our box late on and we showed a very good attitude to negate them in a tense period.
“The referee added a lot of injury time, so the players had to remain resolute to ensure we got over the line.”
Naismith had to go off following a collision with Matthews, while Oliver Hawkins also departed with an injury.
Jackett said: “We had to make changes and we’ll see how the injuries are, but Burgess will be back next week after his one-match ban.
“Hawkins had a very good game for us at the back and Naismith has obviously made a telling contribution to get us the three points.”