Pompey dropped two more important points in the race for automatic promotion as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Mansfield at Field Mill as Marc McNulty also had a penalty saved.
Those who were there said it was a stodgy game where Paul Cook's men never really got going and a draw was a fair result on balance of play.
Typically, minutes after Scott Shearer had saved McNulty's spot kick the hosts took the lead through Matt Green's strike and it was only a fortunate own goal that spared Pompey's blushes as Ryan Tafazoli glanced Ben Davies' cross into his own net when he really didn't have to go for the ball at all.
The usual criticisms could be aimed at that performance yesterday as a lack of creativity without Gary Roberts in the side is the one that stood out the most.
Cook's post-match interview was telling and the performance of his side would have hurt even more being an ex-Chesterfield boss. He will certainly have plenty to think about ahead of lowly Notts County's visit to Fratton Park on Good Friday and they have just sacked their manager just to make things even more difficult for Pompey.
The gap to the automatic promotion places is now five points but there are two teams with that advantage now as Bristol Rovers now sit third after a fifth straight win. Oxford realistically can't be caught now and overhauling Accrington is going to be difficult too.
Still, there is no need to give up hope yet. The Easter period is crucial and so long as Pompey can remain in touching distance of third place going into what looks like a favourable April fixture list, then the play-offs may well be avoided yet.
However, Cook needs to find answers to a lot of questions before this team can get promoted.