Pompey's incredible 27-game unbeaten league run came to an end in a thumping 4-0 defeat to the Seasiders last weekend, so all eyes were on them against the Brewers.
Colby Bishop scored his 11th goal of the season from the spot and Alex Robertson sealed a 2-0 victory.
Mousinho said: "I asked them for a solid grown-up performance where they had to show a lot of mettle and they did that in pretty much everything they did."
The victory took Portsmouth level on points with leaders Bolton, who drew 0-0 at third-placed Oxford. It was a first home game in charge for U's manager Des Buckingham.
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