Kenny Jackett was happy with how Pompey performed in the middle of the pitch at Bradford.
But it was the display at either end he was left cursing following a 3-1 defeat that ended their six-match unbeaten run.
Nathaniel Knight-Percival opened the scoring, only for Brett Pitman to level after the break with his 23rd goal of a prolific campaign.
Matty Lund and Charlie Wyke took advantage of some sloppy defending to secure the points for the Bantams, however.
And Jackett was disappointed with the manner of each of the goals his side conceded, as well as their attacking efforts.
The Blues boss said: “We started the game very well and had a lot of control in midfield. I was pleased with the way we recycled the ball.
“But Bradford got the first and second touch from a corner for the first goal, while there were similar opportunities to clear for the next one.
"We had the midfield, but they had both boxes."
“Then for the third we can say that perhaps the ball shouldn’t have come back off the goalkeeper, although he’s made some fantastic saves for us this season.
“We put a lot of balls into the opposition box – more times than they did against us. As an away side that’s a good thing.
“But it was Bradford heads that were there. They had more experience and knowhow to get to things first.
“We had a lot of the ball and kept pressing in and around their area. We had the midfield, but they had both boxes.
“Fair play to our hosts, because they defended well, but we didn’t get enough strikes in to warrant the possession that we had.”
The result saw Charlton – who won at Shrewsbury – leapfrog Pompey in the table, although the Blues are still just one point adrift of the top six.
Jackett said: “We’ve been slightly outside of the play-offs for most of the season and we need to win games.
“There are three left for us – two at home and one away to Bury – and we’ve got to really target maximum points, then see where it takes us.”