Pompey Ladies continued their inconsistent start to the season with a 3-2 defeat to Chichester at Oaklands Park.
Both sides threatened in an open start to the game, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock midway through the first half.
Jade Widdowson was well-placed on the line to block a corner, only for to Jess Lewry to follow up and find the net.
And it soon got even worse for the Blues, as the ball rebounded off the post and left Cherelle Khassal with a free header to double Chichester’s advantage.
Samantha Quayle then reduced the deficit, shaking off pressure from two defenders to calmly find the target.
The visitors might have gone in level at the break, but were unable to take advantage when the ball ricocheted around their opponents’ box.
Instead they found themselves further behind early in the second half, with Jenna Fowlie’s header going in off the crossbar after she had met a Hollie Wride free-kick.
There were hopes of a comeback when Gemma Hillier was fouled in the area, but Shannon Sievwright sent her penalty wide.
Substitute Shannon Albuery did head home an Eilidh Currie corner in stoppage-time, but it proved no more than a consolation.
Blues boss Jay Sadler told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I would say it was a fair result and we just weren’t at it right from the off.
"It probably would have been an injustice if we’d come away with something."
“I’m trying put my finger on why that was and overall, I’m very disappointed. We need to carve out more chances and then take them when they come.
“We seem to be a team that needs the first goal to give us some impetus, while all three of the ones we conceded were sloppy on our part.
“It was 2-1 at half-time and the game was evenly poised, although we probably didn’t deserve for it to be that close.
“And it probably would have been an injustice if we’d come away with something. Chichester were tremendous and every one of their players deserves a pat on the back.
“But every one of ours should have come off the pitch with regrets and that shouldn’t happen – especially in a derby game.”
Pompey: Levett; Currie, Widdowson, Southgate (Boswell 57), Bazan (c); Quayle, Sievwright, Clark, Barron (Stephens 57); Hillier, Panting (Albuery 67)
Subs not used: Kirby, James