It was a run that Pompey were desperate to see come to an end.
The Checkatrade Trophy might not be at the top of their list of priorities this season, but it took on extra significance on the back of four successive defeats.
And the Blues finally had something to celebrate at The Valley, with Curtis Main’s first half strike securing victory over Charlton.
It was a result that means they finished top of Southern Group A and will progress to the knockout stages.
Joe Gallen was relieved with the outcome and pleased with the way that the visitors approached the contest.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “We’re hugely delighted to pick up a win after four games where we haven’t been able to do that.
“In the past two we haven’t particularly deserved to lose, but the fact is we did and needed to stop that as soon as possible.
"The work-rate and attitude shown by our boys was quite phenomenal."
“So we came into this game with the targets of winning and getting through to the next stage of the competition.
“The work-rate and attitude shown by our boys was quite phenomenal, while the goal gave us something to hold on to.”
Kal Naismith provided the assist for Main’s winner and was one of several players who were handed a chance to impress.
Gallen said: “Kal’s been looking to go get back into the team and he put in performance full of hard work.
“We know he can create and score goal, so it was good to see him provide the assist for Curtis. We’re pleased for both of them.
“I thought that Oli Hawkins looked very solid coming in at centre-back and complemented Nathan Thompson very well.
“I think that everybody who played has put themselves up for selection on Saturday, which is encouraging. It’s a good headache for the manager to have.”
Brett Pitman was initially named among the substitutes, but was replaced by Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain just before kick-off.
Gallen explained: “He came up to me in the warm-up and said his knee was a bit sore, so we thought it was wise to take him out.”