Andy Awford's unbeaten run as Portsmouth manager is over after Stoke won 3-0 to knock his team out of the Capital One Cup.
The Pompey manager clearly stated his priorities by making eight changes to the team that won at Oxford which included the likes of Johnny Ertl and Nick Awford.
As expected, the home side had most of the possession and most of the chances. Paul Jones ended up an extremely busy man in the Pompey goal having made 13 saves and seen another 10 miss the target.
Jon Walters gave the Potters the lead by turning Marc Muniesa's cross home after just 16 minutes. Pompey barely mustered an attack with only a wayward Jed Wallace shot to shout about.
There was some concern for Jack Whatmough after he limped off in the first half and emerged during the second half with a cast around his leg. Hopefully his injury isn't too serious.
Walters ended any hopes of an unlikely upset just after the break by converting a cross from Victor Moses who gave the Portsmouth defence the runaround during much of the game.
Pompey were mainly reduced to long-distance shots off target although Jack Butland did have to tip Ricky Holmes' shot over the bar. Ex-Pompey striker Peter Crouch then added some gloss to the scoreline by heading in a third goal in stoppage time.
The result wasn't unexpected and Pompey fans will undoubtedly be grateful to Jones for keeping the score respectable. Nobody will care about Pompey being knocked out of the League Cup in all honesty apart from some bitter Scummers who still want the opportunity for "revenge" having not beaten the Blues since 2005.
Promotion from League Two is the priority given Awford's team selection tonight so let's hope for a win when it really matters on Saturday when Fratton Park welcomes Newport County.