Nolan said "I am delighted for Cookie and (assistant) Leam Richardson, who is a good mate of mine,
"I am delighted they have achieved what they set out for this year and wish them all the best going forward.
"I was just a bit disappointed in the way we managed the game. We just didn't do it as well as we have done in the past.
"Maybe we got caught up in the occasion a bit. But these lads have been fantastic since I walked in the door in January.
"We are going to have off days and today was one of them.
"But it's a learning curve and we will learn from it.
"Portsmouth are at the top of the league for a reason and they have been there all season.
"I thought for the majority of the game we matched them in bits and bobs, just not as consistent as we have been over the last five games."