Steve Stone described the conditons as 'a joke' after Pompey's 2-0 defeat at home to Leicester at a sodden Fratton Park.

Wide man Stone played his third game since signing on loan from Aston Villa as Pompey suffered their first home defeat in the league this season.

It meant that second placed Leicester cut the gap at the top of the table to four points but Micky Adams' side's more direct style was better suited to the waterlogged pitch than Pompey's passing game.

Referee Andy Hall gave the game the go ahead after a 1.30pm pitch inspection but a second half abandonment looked likely as the torrents continued.

Down the flanks, the water was ankle deep, preventing Stone and Matthew Taylor from providing their usual threat.

"It didn't suit us at all," said Stone "The disappointing thing is that we fancied ourselves against Leicester on a decent pitch. But we didn't get that chance.

"The water was about three or four inces deep in some areas - it was covering your feet, it was just a joke.

"Even Sunday League games would have been called off if the pitch was like that. I've certainly never played in conditions like it before."

First half goals by James Scowcroft and Matthew Elliott were enough for Leicester.

Scowcroft beat his man at the near post in the 13th minute after Paul Dickov latched on to a long punt from Ian Walker and crossed from the left.

And, on 39 minutes, Elliott headed home a Muzzy Izzett corner at the near post to double the Foxes' advantage.

Scowcroft headed another Izzett corner against bar in the second half but Pompey hardly threatened until substitute Mark Burchill shot into the side netting in injury-time.

Stone added: "We tried to get the ball into the box as early as possible but that was very difficult for both sides and, once we went 2-0 down, it was very difficult to break them down - they have a very good defensive unit in Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart."

Harry Redknapp's side are now preparing to face Dave Jones's Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday night on the back of their second league defeat of the season.

But Redknapp is reading little in to Saturday's result, which was played in front of a 19,710 crowd - Fratton Park's biggest of the sea- son.

"The conditions were the worst I've ever seen without a game being abandoned," said the Pompey boss.

"Kevin Bond and Jim Smith didn't think there was any way the game was going to finish and I would have said something to the referee at half-time, but it was very difficult for him to call it off once they were 2-0 up.

"What you saw out there had nothing to do with football. I feel sorry for the fans who paid money to see that.

"We're not Real Madrid, we're not going to win every game but our game is about pass and move and I was having to tell players to kick the ball the way they were facing.

"That goes against everything I tell them in training. It was nonsense."

Former Saint Adams played with three strikers - Deane, Scowcroft and Dickov - to unsettle the Pompey back three of De Zeeuw, Festa and Primus.

"I know from my days on the south coast with Southampton that Fratton Park is a daunting place to come," said the Leicester boss.

"The fans get behind their players and give magnificent support, and Portsmouth are a very good side.

"But we looked them in the eye and took them on and so did our fans, who were magnificent.

"I told the referee before the game that if he thought it should be postponed, he should be brave and postpone it, but once it got under way I didn't think the pitch got any worse, so he was right to continue."

Festa is now very doubtful for the trip to Wolves after damaging knee ligaments in a collision with De Zeeuw.