Pompey’s quest to reach the Championship hit a stumbling block at promotion rivals Peterborough.
Ivan Toney wrapped up a 2-0 victory for the hosts late on after Dan Butler had opened the scoring against his former club.
Kenny Jackett felt that the scoreline was a fair reflection on the contest, with his side having just three shots on target.
And he was frustrated that Christy Pym had a relatively comfortable afternoon between the sticks for Posh.
The Blues boss said: “They edged both halves and while we had a lot of pressure in the second half, we didn’t do enough going forward.
“We all know about their attacking threats and Toney looked a very good centre-forward, scoring a crucial second goal.
“That took the game away from us, but the real disappointment for me was that we never really got going in an attacking sense.
“We couldn’t find those shots or do enough to work their keeper – they were able to look after us defensively and really limit us.
"The real disappointment for me was that we never really got going in an attacking sense."
“Our combination play wasn’t quite right and we weren’t able to get quality balls into the box to hurt the opposition.”
Pompey collected six yellow cards at London Road, with three of them issued for dissent, including one for Ronan Curtis after the final whistle.
Jackett said: “You don’t want those bookings because – as you’ve seen with Christian Burgess – they can tot up.
“But the players were frustrated with the officials and I have some sympathy with them, although I don’t like blaming referees.
“And credit to Peterborough because they worked our keeper more than we worked their one and that’s got them the win.”
Jack Whatmough was handed a first league start since February 2019, but replaced by Ross McCrorie at the interval.
Jackett said: “He’s a player I rate and has waited patiently, working hard after his injury. It’s his first league game in more than a year.
“But he was on a booking and so it probably wasn’t right for him in the second half, but he should certainly take the positives from being out on the pitch and build on it.”