Adam McGurk and Lucas Akins scored in either half as Burton beat Portsmouth 2-0 at the Pirelli Stadium to move to the top of the League Two table.
Burton made the perfect start with the opening goal after just one minute and 25 seconds.
Pompey were caught cold as Stuart Beavon turned on a Akins centre to fire across goal, with McGurk on hand to fire into the roof of the net from close range.
After more home pressure, Jed Wallace went close to the leveller with a 20-yard thunderbolt that flew inches too high.
And Pompey top scorer Craig Westcarr saw his header deflected over as half-time approached.
The visitors could have restored parity six minutes after the break but Alex Wynter's close-range shot was blocked on the line in a frantic scramble.
The Pompey fightback was halted in the 56th minute when Akins turned just inside the area before lashing a left-foot past goalkeeper Paul Jones.