Portsmouth fall into the Championship relegation zone for the first time this season after suffering another defeat at Fratton Park.
A first-half header from Anis Mehmeti was enough for Bristol City, who moved back into the Play-Offs.
There were three changes to the XI that was defeated 3-0 away at Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Captain Marlon Pack came in for Márk Kosznovszky, Jordan Williams for the suspended Terry Devlin and the rested Callum Lang replaced Florian Bianchini.
Gerhard Struber’s side dominated the opening half-hour of the first 45, through the goalscorer Anis Mehmmeti and Scott Twine, whose appealed penalty was not given by referee Sam Allison.
City’s endured pressure was then rewarded when Mehmeti in the 18-yard-box leapt up high to head home Neto Borges’ cross to make it 1-0, 17 minutes gone.
Mehmeti then came close to securing a brace, but his low effort at goal went just wide of Nicholas Schmid’s right-hand post.
Emil Riis then thumped an effort at Schmid, who went down in pain, which allowed the Portsmouth players to go to the technical area to re-group with head coach John Mousinho and his coaching staff.
Josh Murphy later got the better of Ross McCrorie, but the winger's deep cross missed the Blues' shirt in the area.
HALF-TIME: Portsmouth 0-1 Bristol City
Pompey attempted to find their way back into the game in the second half and came extremely close when Andre Dozzell’s cross hit the foot of Robins player Zak Vyner, who cleared the ball just inches off the line.
The Robins then came close to doubling their lead through Mehmeti again down the other end, but a solid save by Schmid sent the ball out for a corner.
Colby Bishop, who has been without a goal since August, was close to ending his goal drought; however, Czech shot-stopper Radek Vítek got down low to save the ball with his body.
Josh Knight had the chance to snatch a point late on, but the Blues defender’s header went wide of the Manchester United loanee’s net.
FULL-TIME: Portsmouth 0-1 Bristol City
Next up: A trip to The Valley looms for John Mousinho’s side, as they face Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic next Saturday in another 12:30 kick-off.
Portsmouth have not beaten The Addicks since February 2021, when Kenny Jackett’s side at the time achieved a 3-1 win behind closed doors, thanks to goals from Michael Jacobs, Tom Naylor, and Andy Cannon.
Portsmouth: 1. Schmid (GK), 22. Swanson (36. Chaplin), 4. Knight, 5. Poole, 2. Williams (8. Swift), 7. Pack (C) 21. Dozzell (18. Kosznovszky), 10. Segečić (47. Min-hyeok), 23. Murphy, 49. Lang (25. Kirk), 9. Bishop (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Unused subs: 26. Bursik (GK), 11. Bianchini, 14. Matthews, 17. Bowat
Bookings: Dozzell 31’, Poole 49’, Murphy 52’
Head coach: John Mousinho
Bristol City: 23. Vitek (GK), 19. Tanner, 16. Dickie (C), 14. Vyner, 17. Skyes, 4. Randell, 2. McCrorie, 21. Borges, 11. Mehmeti, 10. Twine (7. Hirakawa), 18. Riis (30. Armstrong) (Formation: 3-4-2-1)
Unused subs: 1. O’Leary (GK), 3. Pring, 9. Mayulu, 24. Roberts, 25. Yeboah, 31. Morrison, 34. Meerholz
Goals: Mehmeti 17’
Manager: Gerhard Struber
Referee: Sam Allison
Venue: Fratton Park
Attendance: 20,388 (including 2,179 away fans)
Want to hear the thoughts of today's Pompey Live panel? The Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast has been uploaded for you to listen back to!
On Monday (December 1st) evening, Jake will be back in the studio to provide even more reaction to the game on Express FM when The Football Hour returns (6-7pm) - Mark Coates and Graham Butterworth will be his guests on the night.
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