Pompey showcased some lovely passing football in the first half to go into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
They then produced resilience by the bucketload after the break to see off Stevenage and start the new year with a win.
Paddy Lane opened the scoring at Fratton Park, firing into the bottom corner after being teed-up by Alex Robertson.
And the Northern Ireland international was pleased to see the Blues impress in both sides of the game to end a three-match winless run over Christmas.
He said: “It’s been a bit of a tough patch, but I thought we were really good in the first half and then showed in the second that we know how to win.
“I thought we were the better side against Bristol Rovers and Exeter, and it was only Fleetwood where we really let ourselves down.
"It’s a long, tough season and we’re all working together towards the same aim, so please keep with us."
“But I don’t think you can go a whole season playing the way that we want to for 90 minutes in every game.
“So the fact that we can run our socks off and defend the box really well is what won it for us in the end.
“Teams come to us with a game-plan, so if we get the early goal then they have to press us and it opens up.
“I knew that Robbo was going to play the ball across and I had one last time that was blocked because I took an early touch, so I hit it first time.
“It’s three points and I couldn’t care if I score or have a good game, as long as we won – that’s all that mattered.
“It’s a long, tough season and we’re all working together towards the same aim, so please keep with us.”