Pompey Women made it through to the first round proper of the National League Cup with an extra-time victory over Gillingham.
Charmaine True struck the winning goal after Laura Ingram and Jade Widdows had earlier netted inside 90 minutes.
Jay Sadler made three changes from the side that thrashed Hounslow in the league the previous week.
Rebekah Tonks, Eilidh Currie and Jade Widdows all returned to the starting line-up, with True, Jazz Younger and Roxy Lee-Stewart making way.
The first half was a fairly cagey affair, with neither side managing to create any clear-cut openings in the south coast sunshine.
Currie flicked a Hayley Bridge delivery wide, while Becki Bath had an effort blocked in a stop-start opening.
An effort at the other end was deflected against the upright, while Bath’s long-range strike cleared the crossbar.
Half Time: Pompey 0 Gillingham 0
Things picked up after the break and INGRAM broke the deadlock after a clearance from the keeper ricocheted against the defender and into the net.
The hosts were pushing forward in search of more goals and Tamsin de Bunsen fired one chance wide, while a second effort was saved.
But the Blues quickly went from looking totally dominant to being behind, starting from when they conceded a penalty.
That was converted and the Gills soon added a second to leave their opponents on the brink of exiting the competition.
They pushed forward to try to find a leveller, with Jade Bradley and Bath both going close to finding one.
It was WIDDOWS who did equalise on 76 minutes, however, courtesy of a superb 25-yard strike that was bent into the net.
Pompey were looking threatening and True had two shots saved before smashing a third attempt against the post.
After 90 Minutes: Pompey 2 Gillingham 2
True was again denied by the overworked visiting stopper, while Mel Burns was also called into action at the other end.
But, with a penalty shoot-out looming, TRUE finally got her reward, lashing the ball home following an almighty scramble in the box.
Pompey looked to play out the closing stages and a corner was hacked clear at the death to ensure they progressed.
Pompey: Burns; Tonks, Southgate (c), Ingram, Currie (Lee-Stewart 68); Widdows (Adaway 96), Rowe, Bradley, Bath (Younger 112); Bridge, de Bunsen (True 68)
Fantastic game of football. Disappointed we couldn’t capitalise on the opportunities made in the 90. But we showed great character to comeback and win the game, in extra time again. Into the 🎩 we go... 💪🏻 #BlueTogether https://t.co/oCOt01ddVR
— Jay Sadler (@Sadler004) September 15, 2019