Pompey put in an excellent performance against Wolves although it was much more at the other end of spectrum against Ipswich. They struggled to create anything and in the end the home side could have won more comfortably had it not been for the heroics of Alan Knight. Famous Pompey fan Brian Howe came over from the States to watch the match before he gets down to talks with Martin Gregory.
Andy Turner, who had one of his brighter games against Wolves, was dropped with Fitzroy Simpson taking his place.
Ipswich's pacey new striker David Johnson, who faced Pompey earlier this season for Bury, latched onto Hillier's weak back-pass and Awford saved his team-mate's blushes by clearing the danger. Another poor piece of defending should have resulted in Ipswich taking the lead. Wright's clearance was poorly headed back to Knight and Johnson got onto it but dragged a shot wide of Knight's goal to his relief.
Pompey were getting nowhere with very little inspiration up front. Ipswich's quick play kept Pompey constantly on the back foot with a goal just eluding the home side. Awford was alert to clear a cross by Petta ahead of England Under-21 star James Scowcroft. The Pompey defender though had to go off for treatment minutes later after a blow to the face which left him with a nose bleed.
Ipswich eventually took the lead with again Pompey's defence all over the place. Thomson brought down the tricky Johnson as he charged forward. Petta swung over the free-kick where Pompey's defence stood still allowing Cundy to get in a free header and score into the far corner.
Knight had to get down to save Dyer's shot from Johnson's knock-down before Awford had to come off in the 34th minute with Turner taking his place. Holland and Johnson had chances before Knight made a brilliant double save to keep Pompey in the game. Scowcroft's well struck low drive was blocked by Knight and keeper managed to block the striker's second attempt.
Svensson then had Pompey's first shot at goal two minutes from the break as he fired over from Simpson's cross. Overall it had been a bitterly disappointing first-half performance and Ipswich should have been a few more in the lead.
Pompey started brightly after the break as they pressed forward and won four corners in the space of a few minutes. The only real chance fell to Durnin as his far post shot was stopped on the line by Taricco. Yet the early pressure could have ended in Ipswich getting a second goal. The fourth corner was picked up by Petta who ran 70-yards before being denied by Knight's good save.
The home side were becoming increasingly frustrated as they couldn't find the all important second goal. Stockwell was sent down the right side of the area by Dyer and the midfielder's shot crashed off the post with Thomson on hand to clear.
More defensive calamities followed with Knight blocking at close range from Scowcroft after a mix up in the box. Johnson got to the rebound but his header was cleared off the line by Turner. Pompey have claimed many times this season that luck wasn't with them, well it certainly was in this game although their inability to capitalise on it was very disappointing.
Scowcroft was desperately unlucky when he was allowed time by Whitbread to get in a low shot which beat Knight but came back off the post and away to safety. In the 68th minute Ipswich finally got the second goal and more or less settled the game. Holland's cross from the right was met by Johnson who mis-kicked his shot but it hit the ground and looped over Knight.
Pompey could have set up an exciting finish and give them the opportunity to get out of jail. McLoughlin played a clever ball over the Ipswich defence for Turner to run on to. From five yards his shot beat Wright and cannoned off the post to his disbelief.
The home side could have gone further in front when Holland was set free by Scowcroft. Milton was in acres of space to his left but the former Bournemouth man went alone and Knight easily saved his shot which lacked power. Hall then went on a run which ended with him firing well wide.
A very disappointing performance would not have pleased Fenwick and would have found it hard to explain why they played so badly after the win over Wolves. Ipswich though are in a more false position than Pompey and with the talent they've got they won't be down the bottom of the league for long. One noticeable missing ingredient was Pompey's famous fan John Westwood who wasn't allowed his musical instruments in the ground.