The script was already written and executed to perfection in front of a demanding Pompey crowd, Cotterill returned and left empty handed.
Pompey went with a start with Abdul Razak, he came in for the still stricken Lawrence, Huseklepp replacing Ward and Halford usurping Mokoena.
The first half was as dour as they come, both teams continually gave the ball away and there was no fluency from either side whatsoever. Lewis McGugan had the best chance of the early exchanges, he was played in with just Henderson to beat, the home ‘keeper spreading himself well to beat the ball away with his legs. The game then slipped back into the mediocre, the ref who whistled away happily like Roger Whittaker on ecstacy doing little to help proceedings.
That was all to change on the stroke of half time however, Pompey had a late push and Mullins smashed in a screamer which crashed back off the bar, the third time have managed this in the same amount of games, the ball found Huseklepp wide on the left, he jinked inside and curled a beauty past Camp into the Milton end, it was a goal to light up the dullest of matches.
Half-time came and went, the fans obviously lifted by a unique feeling of a first half lead, as the game got going again it was much more of a spectacle, Norris forcing a good save from Camp and then Kitson lobbing over the bar.
Forest then had a purple five minute patch, Chambers headed goalwards only for Mullins to scramble off of the line, then Henderson making a clawing save to preserve the lead.
Huseklepp had another mazy run stopped in the box, when he has the ball at his feet he certainly lights up the pitch, Razak also showed some grat glimpses of skill and an eye for a pass, he went off to a good reception as Ward replaced him.
Forest then had another good sight of goal, a ball floated over the defnce and found Gunter in space about 15 yards out, he time to measure his volley but got it all wrong and ballooned over.
This was the signal for Pompey to finish it off, Huseklepp swung in a near post corner and the ball was met by a ginger head to exorcise his midweek miss and give a two goal cushion.
Huseklepp was to get the last goal though, a cross from the right evaded all the heads gathered in the middle, Norris picked it up and returned to the six yard area and Husklepp scuffed the ball home, 3-0 at home and happy fans all round.
The home fans sang the virtues of a 4-4-2 formation to their former manager and he must of felt right at home in the dugout seeing his team lose at fratton!
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