Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear made a stunning move by replacing ten of the starting eleven which beat West Ham on Saturday. The side, though, still had quality players in it and Vinnie Jones was the only survivor from Saturday. Fenwick also sprung a surprise, although not as large by leaving goal-shy Burton out completely and bringing in Russell Perrett at centre back.
The dreadful crowd of just under four thousand weren't given much to shout about until the 16th minute when Hall's shot went over. Both defences were well organized and it was noticeable that Wimbledon hadn't conceded a goal in their three previous league matches.
In the 20th minute Wimbledon had their first chance on goal when Clark's shot was well blocked by Awford and the deflection only just went wide. Nine minutes later Awford sliced a clearance over his own bar and at the other end Simpson cracked a shot right across the face of Heald's goal.
The second half could only get better but Fenwick would have been pleased that Pompey hadn't been over ran like they had been a Bolton.
Wimbledon took the lead in the 56th minute from a goal right out of Wimbledon's coaching manual. Jones hurled in one of those huge, long, throws which Blackwell flicked on at the near post and Holdsworth then flicked it over a despairing Flahavan in to the net.
From this Pompey started playing with more confidence and looked much better going forward but Flahavan kept Pompey in it with a fine save. Leonhardsen picked up a loose ball and fired in a ferocious shot which Flahavan stuck out a hand to turn it around for a corner.
That was to be Wimbledon's last chance and it was Turner who had Pompey's best chance when he cracked in a volley which Heald did well to tip over. Paul Hall was then celebrating was his head was fumbled by Heald into the net but it was ruled for offside.
In the dying minutes Turner again got in a shot but that went wide and Pompey had to accept for a first-leg defeat. Fenwick feels Pompey can do the job a Fratton and with a little more conviction up front they might just send Wimbledon crashing out of the cup.