It was a welcome return to action for Gareth Evans.
Pompey’s vice-captain had missed four matches with a hamstring injury after limping off at Southend last month.
But there were no lingering niggles as he came just after the interval during Sunday’s 3-0 home victory over Oxford.
And a revitalised Evans revelled in the opportunity to sample the south coast atmosphere once more.
The winger said: “I got brought on early in the second half and it was straight in at the deep end.
“There was drama right from the moment I came on to the pitch and that’s difficult to get your head around, but I enjoyed it.
"Hopefully I can put it all behind me and concentrate on helping the team."
“Playing in front of a packed house at Fratton Park – what more could you ask for? Getting the win was the icing on the cake.
“Oxford were starting to get on top and so Joe Gallen took me to one side and just told me to be solid, compact and keep hold of the ball.
“I probably wasn’t quite right when I came back from the injury last time and perhaps I shouldn’t have played.
“But I’m feeling fully fit now and that’s a big boost. Hopefully I can put it all behind me and concentrate on helping the team.”
Pompey had a single-goal lead when Alex Mowatt missed a penalty and was then immediately sent off.
And Brett Pitman took advantage by bagging a brace to secure the Blues’ first Fratton triumph of 2018.
Evans said: “It had been too long since we’d won at home, so it was a really enjoyable afternoon and we deserved the victory.
“Obviously there were a few pivotal decisions that went our way, although our players were adamant it shouldn’t have been a penalty.
“The lad hit the post and it went out for a throw. I went over for that and suddenly one of our boys is on the floor.
“If you raise your hands then you’re asking for trouble and the red mist has obviously descended for him.”