Pompey Women gave their promotion hopes a massive boost with a 4-2 win over Ipswich at Westleigh Park.
Despite conceding twice in the league for the first time this term, their attacking prowess was too much for Town.
Georgie Freeland bagged a brace for the Blues, with Emma Jones and Nicole Barrett also on target, while Bonnie Horwood and Ruby Doe replied for the visitors.
Jay Sadler made one change from the side that secured a dramatic victory on the road at Cardiff the previous week.
Ella Humphrey was handed a first league start of the campaign, with Freeland occupying a deeper role and Ali Hall dropping to the bench.
Ipswich had been beaten by Pompey in league and cup on their own patch already this season, but made a bright start on the south coast.
They were unable to capitalise on that, though, and received a warning when Humphrey’s delivery narrowly evaded Izzy Collins at the back post.
And the home side did break the deadlock on 17 minutes, when Sophie Quirk and Ava Rowbotham combined to find Jones, whose low centre was guided home by FREELAND.
Their opponents looked to hit back and an effort from skipper Maria Boswell skimmed the top of the net.
However, they were left stunned when Hannah Haughton’s goal-kick was helped on by Humphrey and JONES brought the ball down before rifling a superb strike into the net.
The striker might have had another just a few moments later, but could only divert Humphrey’s cross just wide.
The Blues were handed a numerical disadvantage when a foul from Riva Casley saw her sent to the sin bin.
But they failed to let that disturb their momentum and added a third goal when a deep BARRETT free-kick flew straight into the net.
Ipswich were handed a lifeline just before the break, though, as Doe was adjudged to have been impeded in the box and Horwood converted the penalty.
Half Time: Pompey 3 Ipswich 1
Neither side was able to get a grip on proceedings following the restart, although that suited a home side who still held a commanding lead.
A long-range strike from Barrett was kept out by Laura Hartley, but clear-cut opportunities were proving hard to find.
Pompey effectively wrapped up all three points on 67 minutes, however, as Quirk nodded a fine Rowbotham delivery back across goal for FREELAND to score her second.
Sadler turned to his bench to provide some fresh legs, as the hosts looked to see out the closing stages.
But they were not prepared to just sit back and Quirk was denied by Hartley after meeting a fine Barrett cross.
Ipswich did grab a late consolation when Summer Hughes escaped out wide and cut the ball back for Doe to find the net.
The Blues then came close to scoring another goal themselves, although Hartley again came to the rescue to save another Quirk effort.
But they had already done enough to secure another valuable victory in the race for a spot in the Championship.
Pompey: Haughton (c); Barrett, Lane, Casley, Collins; Freeland, Rutherford, Rowbotham (Hall 68); Humphrey (McLachlan 68), Jones (Pitman 74), Quirk
Subs not used: Wild, Scott
