Exeter City lead Portsmouth 1-0 at half time after defensive errors allowed Tom Nicholls to open the scoring for the home side.
Pompey were dominating possession throughout the early stages, while Exeter were happy to soak up the pressure and counter-attack.
It was the hosts that took the lead after 27 minutes when a low cross came in which should have been cleared by the Pompey defence. However, two errors allowed the ball to fall in the path of Nicholls, who fired home.
The home side's goal gave them a real lift and it was showing in the change of possession for Exeter as Pompey began to look shaky on the ball.
