Pompey Women were unable to halt title-chasing Cardiff’s charge, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the PMC Stadium.
All of the goals arrived before the break, with Grace Horrell opening the scoring before Cerys Jones added a brace.
It was the Welsh side who looked the more dangerous in the opening stages, although a couple of long-range efforts failed to trouble Hannah Haughton.
But it was the Blues who thought they had broken the deadlock on 19 minutes when Shannon Albuery turned home Katie James’ pass, only for an offside flag to halt their celebrations.
Instead Cardiff broke the deadlock just seconds later, as Horrell met a corner with a header that went in off the post.
And they immediately doubled their advantage, with Jones stabbing the ball home following a mix-up at the back.
It was soon three goals in the space of just seven minutes for City, as Jones converted a long punt forward with a first time finish.
Pompey tried to hit back before the interval, but shots from Alex Collighan and James flew past the post.
Half Time: Pompey 0 Cardiff 3
The hosts had work to do if they were to find a route back into the contest and a free-kick from James was saved by Laura O’Sullivan.
There was more of a threat from the Blues, although their range was off and attempts from James and Carla Perkins went wide.
Pompey were trying their best to get the ball forward, but the second half was proving to be a midfield battle.
O’Sullivan denied Collighan and then manged to grab Jade Bradley’s long-range drive at the second attempt.
And when Collighan sent a dangerous delivery into the mixer, there was nobody on hand to provide the decisive finish.
Substitute Becki Bath had the final opportunity to find a Blues consolation, although he attempt from the edge of the box flew narrowly off target.
Pompey: Haughton; Currie, Younger (Rowe 52), Southgate (c), Tonks; Perkins (Bath 63), Bradley (May 89); Panting, James, A.Collighan; Albuery
Subs not used: C.Collighan, Widdows