Goals from Brett Pitman and Jamal Lowe showed that Pompey have now found a more clinical edge.
But the second of those scorers was also pleased with the fighting spirit shown in a 2-1 victory over high-flying Wigan.
A couple of fine saves from Luke McGee and a superb defensive showing had kept the title-favourites at bay.
Will Grigg did reduce the deficit late on, although the Blues made sure that would be as good as it got for the Latics.
And Lowe felt the whole team deserved credit for a result that means it is only goal difference keeping them outside the play-off places.
He said: “Everyone put in a massive shift – the running, tackling and heading showed that we all dug in deep.
“The crowd were also incredible and probably the loudest I’ve heard them, so they helped us get through to the end.
"The crowd were also incredible and probably the loudest I’ve heard them."
“We’ve seen Wigan’s dominance in the league and the run they went on in the FA Cup, so they’re certainly no mugs.
“We had to take them seriously and be on the top of our game because any lapse of judgment and they can punish you.
“But we’ve won four on the spin now and it’s the kind of form that we were showing before Christmas.
“All we needed was a bit of momentum and we’ve got that now, but we want to make sure it keeps going.”
Lowe turned sharply to fire past Christian Walton early in the second half and take his tally for the campaign to eight goals.
He said: “It was a bit of a tight angle – although not the tightest I’ve scored from – but when I got the ball there was only one thing on my mind. Luckily it went in.
“I think that’s my first goal on TV, so I’m happy with that and can go straight home to watch it!”