Pompey are virtually safe from relegation after beating a battling Bristol Rovers side at a sold out Fratton Park.
This match was a test of character for Andy Awford's men after they lost the lead twice but they never looked like conceding again after the third goal went in.
Pompey didn't start the match as brightly as the Hartlepool encounter but the returning Adam Webster gave the hosts the lead with a tame looking shot on the edge of the box that goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall couldn't prevent from finding the bottom corner of the net.
Having spoken to some pessimistic Rovers fans before the game, you would have thought that their team would have crumbled but instead they came roaring back and gave a shaky Pompey defence some testing times with Trevor Carson producing a great point blank save to keep out Michael Smith's header.
However, there was nothing he could do about the equalising goal as Matt Harrold's strike took a big deflection off Bondz N'Gala's leg and crept into the corner.
That galvanised the vistors who would have taken the lead if it wasn't for the crossbar and another terrific save by Carson who blocked David Clarkson's shot with an outstretched leg.
Pompey then hit the Gas with a suckerpunch with a clever corner to take the lead again. There were groans from some of the home fans when Ricky Holmes opted to play the ball back to the edge of the box rather than swing it in but those groans soon turned to cheers as Danny Hollands blasted the ball past Mildenhall, although the last touch seemed to come off Ryan Taylor and he claimed the goal.
Pompey supporters had barely finished celebrating when Rovers equalised for a second time. Some sloppy marking allowed Harrold to score his second of the day by heading in a cross right before half-time.
The second half was an extremely scrappy affair with no goalmouth action until Holmes fired straight at Mildenhall when he should have scored. Pompey eventually scored the third goal when substitute Wes Fogden bundled the ball across the line thanks to some poor Pirates defending.
That goal seemed to finish the spirited Rovers off and Pompey could have added to their tally as Holmes forced a superb save from Mildenhall from his angled drive and then Jack Whatmough headed over the resulting corner.
But three goals were enough to win the match and virtually secure League Two safety as fans began the "we are staying up" chant all around the ground.
It's a good thing that Pompey's attacking players were on the ball yesterday as the defence were unorganised and missed the protection of Simon Ferry in the defensive midfield role. Rhys McCabe doesn't do anywhere near as good a job in the same role, and Danny Hollands naturally likes to get forward more often.
The official "man of the match" award went to Ricky Holmes and that was probably the correct decision. After injury forced two Rovers players off he had the freedom to tear into their defence and was helped when Fogden came on to work with him.
Andy Awford has done a remarkable job to turn this crop of players that Richie Barker regarded as useless into a side that play entertaining football and are capable of winning four games on the spin. He will undoubtedly be considered for the permanent manager's job but that is a discussion for another time.
As a result of those four wins, Pompey may well be mathematically safe from relegation before the kick-off at Sixfields tomorrow. Bristol Rovers play Rochdale at 1pm and should they lose, they (along with Torquay) would be unable to catch Portsmouth.
That shouldn't really matter and it would take a huge set of freak results to send Pompey down now. It means our fans can party at Northampton just like at that famous game in 1980.
Pompey Player Ratings
Trevor Carson: 7 - A couple of fantastic saves.
Adam Webster: 7 - Scored again on his return despite a couple of defensive frailties.
Bondz N'Gala: 6 - A mixed performance.
Jack Whatmough: 6 - Not as strong as in previous matches.
Nicky Shorey: 6 - Got better in the second half.
Danny Hollands: 7 - Yet to have a bad game for Pompey.
Rhys McCabe: 6 - Did a job but no replacement for a fit Simon Ferry.
Jed Wallace: 7 - Posed a threat and worked hard.
Michael Drennan: 5 - Failed to replicate his superb showing at Dagenham.
Ricky Holmes: 8 - A constant threat when Pompey were attacking and did his fair share of grafting too.
Ryan Taylor: 6 - Still unconvincing at times but did find the net.
Substitutes
Phil Smith
Daniel Alfei
Joe Devera
Sonny Bradley
Johnny Ertl (McCabe 78): N/A - Slotted in nicely.
Wes Fogden (Drennan 55): 7 - Changed the game in Pompey's favour.
Patrick Agyemang (Taylor 87): N/A - Barely touched the ball.