Paul Heckingbottom made four half-time substitutions to turn the tide against a Portsmouth side that he went on to praise post-match after a 2-1 victory for Preston North End.
The Lilywhites were without a league win in six prior to this game.
Ryan Porteous put the home side ahead before Colby Bishop levelled for the visitors.
However, Stefan Thordarson struck the winner for Heckingbottom’s side to secure the three points at Deepdale.
Impressed
Afterwards, the Preston boss said: “I’ve been really impressed with Portsmouth, how they’ve changed things and turned things around.
“I think our game against them marked a big turning point for them down there.
“They compete to win.
“Without the ball, they’ve become a really difficult team to play against.
“The press is fantastic, the work ethic of the players is really good and their organisation is good.
“They make it difficult and I thought we were sort of accepting that in the first half.
“We weren’t, but I felt they were having too big of an impact on how we wanted to play so we needed to change it, and we did.
“I’ve said many times, I want our team to be fearless and to play on the front foot so the changes at half time were to reflect that.”
Heckingbottom also praised match-winner Thordarson.
He added: “The angle [Thordarson] was at, I was thinking ‘hit it, hit it’ and as he was still chasing the ball, I thought the opportunity had gone so it’s a fantastic goal.
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