Pompey were narrowly beaten by a Championship side for the second pre-season match in a row after Charlton Athletic left Fratton Park with a 2-1 victory.
Tal Ben-Haim was roundly booed every time he touched the ball by a crowd of 3,560 Pompey fans with 362 Addicks fans also in attendance. The match itself didn't really get going in the early stages although Ryan Bird headed Adam Webster's cross wide.
Charlton took the lead thanks to a fine piece of individual skill from Igor Vetokele saw him beat his man before lashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal.
That goal was applauded by some in the Fratton End but everyone in the stand were soon on their feet when Pompey equalised thanks to a goal straight from the training ground.
Jed Wallace's free kick on the edge of the box was sent to Ben Chorley at the far post who nodded the ball across goal for Danny Hollands to score from point blank range.
Pompey's parity didn't last long as the visitors soon took the lead again as some poor defending allowed George Tucudean too much time and space to score.
Former Pompey goalkeeper ensured his current team kept their lead as he tipped over James Dunne's strike and also saved Nicky Shorey's free kick on the stroke of half-time.
The second half began at a slow pace with no real action until Vetokele was brought down by Dunne in the box (despite what looked like a clear handball from the Charlton player before that) and the referee pointed to the spot.
Paul Jones, on as a second half substitute for Michael Poke, managed to save Johnnie Jackson's poor penalty and the substitutes soon came on to break the flow of the game.
Andy Awford's men almost had an equaliser when Hollands' lob hit the crossbar but that was to be the only highlight of the rest of the match as Pompey were narrowly beaten by a team two leagues above them once again.
But the performance was encouraging, especially in the second half when the team played better football on the deck rather than lumping the ball high. Hollands and Dunne look like an excellent pairing in the centre of midfield and that could well be the difference between success and failure this season.
The team that started the second half of the match today is likely to be close to what Andy Awford picks to play against Exeter next week. The only changes could be Bird and Barcham for Taylor and Holmes if they're fit.
The summer seems like it has flown by, partially due to the World Cup but with the Burnham friendly scheduled for Tuesday cancelled there are no more pre-season games. Next Saturday signals the beginning of a gruelling nine month slog to try and get promoted from League Two come May 2015.
Bring it on!