Pompey Women suffered a disappointing afternoon on the road as they were beaten by lowly Plymouth in the National League.
Jazz Younger found the target to cancel out Beth Ireland’s opener, but Zoe Cunningham converted a penalty before the break to seal the points for the Pilgrims.
Jay Sadler made two changes from the side that drew with league leaders Ipswich the previous week.
Hayley Bridge and Shannon Albuery both returned to the starting line-up, with Rebekah Tonks and Rosie McDonnell dropping to the bench.
The Blues almost broke the deadlock in the opening seconds, but Cherelle Khassal could not quite connect at the back post after Tamsin de Bunsen’s cross had been nodded down by Albuery.
Instead it was the home side that grabbed an early advantage, as Ireland volleyed home after Hannah Haughton had parried away Amber Pollock’s initial effort.
There were not too many clear-cut openings to excite the Devon crowd, however, as the contest descended into a scrappy affair.
But Pompey drew level on 34 minutes, as YOUNGER stayed alert inside the box to finish at the second attempt.
The scores were not level for long, however, and when Gabi Alphous was tripped in the box, Cunningham stepped up to smash home the spot-kick.
Freya Jones tried to find a second equaliser as the interval approached, although her shot flew straight into the arms of Poppy Soper.
Half Time: Plymouth 2 Pompey 1
There was an early chance for the visitors when the action restarted, with Hayley Bridge’s strike clearing the crossbar.
Sadler made changes in an effort to inject more urgency into proceedings and Dani Lane, Danielle Rowe and McDonnell all entered the fray.
But Plymouth were holding firm at the back to blunt their opponents’ attacks and leave them frustrated.
They might even have extended their lead further, with Haughton quickly off her line to deny Pollock.
The keeper was also called into action to deal with an Alphous volley, while Sophie Perrin’s corner clipped the post.
Pompey committed players forward as the seconds ticked down and a deflected Albuery shot was gathered by Soper.
And time eventually ran out for the Blues, with Argyle able to celebrate just their third league win of the season.
Pompey: Haughton (c); Gotch, Younger (Rowe 65), Gane; Quayle, Rowbotham, F.Jones (Lane 55), Bridge (McDonnell 65); de Bunsen, Albuery, Khassal
Sub not used: Tonks
🗣 Jay Sadler: "We've got to look at ourselves and stick together"
— Portsmouth Women (@PompeyWomen) January 17, 2022
🔵 Our head coach's assessment of yesterday's defeat#Pompey pic.twitter.com/kFPqHPlUtx