Danny Cowley was delighted with the display from his much-changed side at Ipswich.
Goals from Dane Scarlett and substitute Zak Swanson secured a 2-0 victory that sent Pompey into the last 16 of the Papa Johns Trophy.
Both sides had made seven alterations from their weekend contests, but it was the visitors who ultimately adapted better.
And there were plenty of impressive individual performances in Suffolk that caught the eye of Cowley.
The Blues boss said: “We’re really pleased and the competition we’re in is irrelevant – we go into every game trying to win.
“We always want to perform to a good level and I thought we were excellent, with our defensive organisation a positive.
“I thought we were able to press Ipswich and turn the ball over, looking a real threat on the counter-attack.
“If we could have been a bit more ruthless then we might have made it a bit more comfortable for ourselves.
“Ipswich are a top team and have the best players in the division, with a second eleven that would finish in the play-offs.
“So for us to come here, make so many changes and then perform in the way we did is very impressive.
"That’s why we’re so pleased with this display at Ipswich – because we showed all the qualities that I think we stand for."
“I was lucky enough to win this competition with Lincoln and my team had a fantastic spirit, attacking every day with enthusiasm – these are what you need to do well.
“That’s why we’re so pleased with this display at Ipswich – because we showed all the qualities that I think we stand for.
“We want to develop our youngsters, so it was good for Jay Mingi and Josh Oluwayemi to play again, although it made sense to take Zak out of the firing line.
“But he came on in centre midfield – which we saw him do for Arsenal – and I thought he did really well there.
“Michael Morrison was immense. His leadership and footwork were excellent and he has the ability to make the players around him five per cent better.
“Dane – wow! I don’t think I’ve seen a number nine defend from the front like that in all my days watching football.
“We stayed on task, were resilient and when you defend well on the road, chances will inevitably come your way.”
Marlon Pack was a notable absentee at Portman Road after recently returning to the side following a hamstring injury.
Cowley said: “He’s done unbelievably well to come back, but it would have been reckless for him to play again in this one.
“Marlon has done some work back at the training ground and he’ll now join back with the rest of the group.”