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A late goal from Andy Parton set up a frantic ending, but it was too little too late for the Third Division side.
Laws said: "I am delighted with the performance particularly in the second half. I was also proud that we brought nearly 3,000 fans all the way down.
"We were a little bit under the kosh for the first 20 minutes but we limited Portsmouth to half chances after that.
"The trouble is we kept on missing glorious chances and had we have scored early in the second half, who knows what would have happened?
"We went out to give it a real go and we dominated the half for long spells. Their second goal was from a breakaway and was helped by a bit of naive defending on our part.
"It was a terrific goal from Andy that gave us some hope just before the end. It is a shame that goal didn't come ten minutes earlier, that could have mde it interesting.
"At least we gave our fans something to remember with the late goal and I know who was the more nervous manager for the final five minutes.
"Portsmouth are a very capable side but if we play like that every week then we should start to jump up the league table."
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp admitted it was a tough match and signalled his intention to sign a new striker.He said: "It was always going to be a difficult match with no fit front men. I was in Italy last week and only got back from Spain at 4.00am Friday morning. I flew all the way out there to look at a striker who ended up on the bench and only came on for the final 20 minutes to play on the left wing.
"Unless I can find a couple of strikers from somewhere we are going to struggle.
"I am looking for someone to play up-front and score goals in the Premiership. But we have got no money to spend so we are only looking at free transfers and loans, and nobody wants to give you their best players for nothing."