Remember the Sunderland pain and promise us to leave the pitch with no regrets this time against Oxford United - that’s all we ask of you, Portsmouth

But this time there were new sentiments nestling between disappointment and despair, as the Sunderland party continued and the Netflix documentary captured their celebrations at Fratton Park.

For the first time in six winless play-off fixtures spread across 27 years, anger vied for supremacy amid all the other feelings raising the temperature within.

A resentment resided at what had just unfolded, along with a powerful maddening belief that just couldn’t be shook off: Pompey could have done more.

Across the two most important games of the season and with the Championship within their grasp, Kenny Jackett’s men served up a couple of their most underwhelming performances of the campaign.

A single-goal defeat at the Stadium of Light coming against opposition playing with 10 men for nearly a third of the night was disappointing, especially given the dearth of opportunities created.

But it was the manner in which the Blues’ exited with a whimper in front of their own fans in the return which really hurt.

You can debate team selections and the call to leave the attacking threat of Jamal Lowe and Ronan Curtis on the bench, yet it was the manner in which Pompey failed to chase the game which stung the most.

Moments were pinpointed, but on what could’ve been one of the special nights under the Fratton lights, Jackett’s men didn’t do nearly enough to make it even uncomfortable for an established foe.

Where was the charge? Where was the spirit? What was Curtis doing on the bench with a bleedin’ substitution in hand?

And as we prepare to let play-off battle recommence, the memory lingers.

In 1993, we had referee Roger Milford and Ian Ormondroyd’s long and patently offside leg to vent our fury towards, as Leicester broke royal blue hearts.

Four years ago, Paul Cook called off his side’s final training session with his squad ‘on its knees’ on the eve of the second leg at Plymouth. As bodies wilted, they somehow made it to stoppage time before succumbing.

Yes, after 62 gruelling games legs were weary, but you just can’t lose the feeling there was more to give 12 months ago.

For those who were involved, that should be a motivation come 5pm against a handy foe who will no doubt present stern if not formidable opposition.

The storylines are in place, headlines in fingers poised over the keyboard and fairytales waiting to be written.

Christian Burgess’ transformation from boo boy target to people’s champion is complete. We await his final chapter.

And what price an unlikely hero or comeback from Bryn Morris, after suffering the unrelenting darkness of injury pain?

A squad hit harder by the effects of Covid-19 than virtually any other goes into battle in rude health, the short-term contract minefield negotiated. There’s imponderables but the signs have been promising since their return to training.

There will be pangs of disappointment, the silenced Fratton roar will be rued and the chagrin of those absent loyal folk who’ve travelled every step of the way so far palpable.

Whatever the outcome come Monday evening, though, all we ask is the chosen few can look within and not feel any regret at what's unfolded this time.

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