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Although Pompey have only lost one of their previous 10 games across all competitions, they have failed to win any of their last five league matches.
After playing out four consecutive draws in League One, they were beaten 2-0 by Wycombe Wanderers in their most recent outing.
They were due to return to action on Saturday, but their away meeting with Accrington Stanley was postponed, which has allowed Danny Cowley‘s side to focus on Tuesday’s last 16 game in the EFL Trophy.
Pompey faced Ipswich Town in the round of 32 after they finished second in the group stage, and they managed to claim a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Dane Scarlett and Zach Swanson.
The hosts have avoided defeat in all of their 12 competitive home matches this season, although five of their last six home games have finished all square after 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Stevenage are unbeaten in six games across all competitions, and they currently sit in second place in League Two.
Impressively, they have only lost one of their last 12 league matches, although they had to settle for a point on Saturday when they played out a goalless draw with Mansfield Town.
As they turn their attention to Tuesday’s cup game, they will look to continue their fine form in the EFL Trophy after winning all four games in the competition this season.
In the week that the Bulls lost their most famous ex-player, FA Cup legend Ronnie Radford – 50 years on from his iconic match-winning goal against Newcastle – it briefly looked like there might be some left-over magic in the air.
For seven minutes, the sixth-tier outfit led after Miles Storey’s goal against the team 81 places above them in the English football pyramid in League One.
But Pompey hit back, with Reeco Hackett quickly levelling before second-half goals from Colby Bishop and substitute Joe Pigott earned the twice FA Cup winners a safe passage to Monday’s second-round draw
Making their first trip to Edgar Street in 38 years, Pompey were given a good first-half workout by the fired-up hosts.
Although home keeper Dale Eve had to keep out Hackett’s left-foot curler bound for the top corner, Pompey had a first real scare when Bishop’s challenge on Hereford’s former million-pound marksman Tyrone Barnett in the visitors’ penalty box went unpunished.
And there was worse to follow for Pompey when Hereford took the lead on 26 minutes.
Sean Raggett played a loose pass inside to Hackett, who was immediately closed down and robbed by Storey – and the former Pompey player raced away down the inside-left channel before keeping his cool to nutmeg on-loan West Bromwich Albion keeper Josh Griffiths.
Fittingly, just two days on from the announcement of the sad passing of Hereford’s legendary number 11, their modern-day number 11 emulated his predecessor.
There had already been a minute’s silence, which cascaded into applause from the whole ground, followed by chants of ‘there’s only one Ronnie Radford’ when the clock showed 11 minutes.
But this goal was destined not to prove so famous.
Ronan Curtis headed down Connor Ogilvie’s far-post cross for Hackett to bring down and fire home coolly from six yards.
On 63 minutes, Portsmouth took the lead when, from Clark Robertson’s in-swinging right-foot corner from the left, Bishop timed his run to get there first and head his 10th goal of the season.
And Pigott wrapped up victory 10 minutes from time when, again from a corner by skipper Robertson, Bishop won the initial header before Pigott reacted sharpest to sidefoot home
Hereford FC boss Josh Gowling told BBC Sport:
“I’m really disappointed because we should have got something out of it, but goals change games – and the quality of the delivery they have changes games.
“In the first half we were excellent. We were in the ascendancy and they looked nervous.
“We were on top and looked like we could go on and win, but we’ve made one mistake, it has cost us a goal and that’s the difference in levels.
“We’ve given them a leg up and a little lift and you could see their performance raise after that.”
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley told BBC Sport:
“I was so sad to hear the news about Ronnie Radford. He was such an iconic figure and he had that iconic moment. For a lot of people my age, his famous goal was their first memories of the FA Cup. But what a brilliant night to celebrate his life
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Tom Lowery, Louis Thompson, Jayden Reid and Joe Rafferty due to injury issues.
There are also doubts over the availability of Kieran Freeman and Swanson after the pair missed the league defeat to Wycombe.
Josh Oluwayemi is set to replace Josh Griffiths in goal, and although Cowley could make a few changes to his side, he is expected to name a strong lineup.
As for the visitors, will also swap their goalkeepers, with Taye Ashby-Hammond expected to make way for Aaron Chapman.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Evans could decide against making too many changes to his starting XI, although Max Clark, Arthur Read and Amoo could come into the side.
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There may also be a place in the lineup for Danny Rose, who will be looking to add to the eight goals that he has scored across all competitions this term.
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Oluwayemi; Morrison, Raggett, Ogilvie; Dale, Pack, Mingi, Hume; Hackett, Curtis, Scarlett
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Chapman; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Earley; Gilbey, Campbell, A. Read, Reeves; Rose, Amoo