Portsmouth picked them selves up during the 1965-70 season, they gradually improved as the campaign wore on and finished strongly in 12th place. They stumbled out of the FA Cup in the third round losing 3-1 to Grimsby Town. They also reached the third round of the league cup, however they lost an encounter out in the second round, against Cardiff City.
Pompey were poor once again during the 66-67 season, struggling in the league, finishing off the season in 14th place. Portsmouth reached the forth round of the FA Cup, losing 3-1 to Spurs and they were poor in the league cup, crashing out in the second round losing 4-1 to Swindon Town.
The 1967-68 season saw Portsmouth back to their best, they were in outstanding form in the league, finishing off the campaign strongly in fifth place, unfortunate not to be promoted. They had a good run in the FA Cup which was ultimately spoilt by West Brom as they defeated Pompey 2-1. They stumbled out of the league cup, losing 3-1 to Darlington.
The 1968-69 season saw another decline by Portsmouth, struggling in the second division, finishing off in 15th place, they suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing in the forth round of the FA Cup.
Worse was to come during the 69-70 season, they could only manage a 17th place league finish, just avoiding relegation. They were poor in both domestic cup competitions, losing 2-1 to Tranmere in the third round of the FA Cup, they faired little better in the league cup, stumbling out in the first round, losing to Brighton.