Pompey completed their preparations for the new campaign with a friendly victory over top-flight Welsh outfit Cardiff at Westleigh Park.
Mia Adaway forced a late own-goal to ensure the Blues warmed up for next Sunday’s National League opener at Ipswich in the best possible fashion.
The hosts almost broke the deadlock in the opening stages following a neat passing move, with Anaisa Harney turning Sophie Quirk’s low delivery against the woodwork.
Quirk was then able to skip past a few Cardiff players and advance into the box before firing wide of the post.
Pompey kept knocking on the door in search of an opener and when Adaway’s cross ran through to Harney, her shot was brilliantly kept out at point-blank range by Ceryn Chamberlain.
Annie Rolf was next to go close and after exchanging passes with Quirk, her centre was cleared against the crossbar.
The intense heat did not seem to be affecting the Blues’ energy levels and an effort from Quirk was turned around the post by Chamberlain late in the first half.
Half Time: Pompey 0 Cardiff 0
Sadler introduced fresh legs at the break and again early in the second half, as the home side sought a breakthrough.
But when one of the substitutes, Jazz Younger, did get the ball in the back of the net, celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
The attacks kept on coming and it seemed like just a matter of time before Pompey would forge ahead, but Quirk fired narrowly over the bar.
Chamberlain was keeping Cardiff in the contest and made another key save to deny Adaway following great work from Tierney Scott.
But a goal finally arrived five minutes from the end, as a teasing Adaway delivery was turned into her own net by a Bluebirds defender.
The lead was almost cancelled out in stoppage-time, though, as Phoebie Poole spun in the box and fired inches past the post.
Pompey: Haughton; Rowbotham, Rowe (c), Collins (Younger 46), Wild (McDonnell 46); Lane, Macdonald (Hill 63), Rolf; Adaway, Harney (Scott 63), Quirk
Sub not used: Jenkins