A long midweek trip to snowy Accrington provided all the ingredients for a tough League One fixture.
So John Mousinho was delighted to watch his side secure a 3-1 victory, even if it was not as simple as the scoreline suggested.
Joe Pigott opened the scoring shortly after keeper Lukas Jensen had been sent off for bringing down Paddy Lane.
But Stanley responded with vigour before goals from Reeco Hackett and Colby Bishop – which sandwiched Pigott’s dismissal – finished the home side off.
They were able to grab a late consolation and Mousinho was just happy to see Pompey make the long trip home on the back of a win.
The Blues boss said: “The best way to put it is that we got the job done and are pleased to come away with the three points.
“We were delighted with all of the goals and the first one in particular lifted us and gave us something to build from.
"The best way to put it is that we got the job done and are pleased to come away with the three points."
“But we were disappointed with where we were at half-time and I don’t think we coped particularly well with Accrington going down to 10 men.
“They were really brave and pressed us – credit to them for that. Our assumption was we would have more time on the ball, but we didn’t and perhaps needed to be more direct.
“I felt we played into their hands a bit, but were a lot more professional after the break and able to put the game to bed.
“Even when we went down to 10 men, I was pleased with our reaction and how solid we were behind the ball.
“Colby was excellent. It was a tough, physical night for him and to get that 20th goal of the season was a brilliant reward.”
Mousinho thought Jensen’s sending off was fair, but was not so sure that Pigott deserved to see red following a challenge for the ball with replacement keeper Toby Savin.
He said: “The first one looks like a stonewaller because Paddy was through on goal and there were no covering defenders.
“Joe’s red was incredibly harsh and we’ll have a look at appealing that. I just feel sorry for him because he’s done well over the past couple of games and got his goal.”