PORTSMOUTH moved out of the Premiership's bottom three for the first time since November after a Gary O'Neil strike gave them a vital victory over a somewhat lacklustre Middlesbrough side at Fratton Park. O'Neil's goal came from a pass by record signing Benjani Mwaruwari, who went through a 12th start without finding the target himself but was cheered off when he was substituted in the 67th minute. Only after that did Middlesbrough, without several key players, look likely to rob Portsmouth of their sixth game without defeat - but Harry Redknapp's men hung on for another crucial victory.

But it was the away who looked slightly the more effective in the very early stages.

Portsmouth had to call up more urgency and O'Neil showed the way in the 11th minute when his shot was blocked by young defender Andrew Taylor before Portsmouth started to take control of the game mid-way through the first half Todorov had a shot deflected for a corner and the Middlesbrough goalkeeper lost his footing as the flag-kick came over but luckily had skipper Ugo Ehiogu on hand to clear the problem. Todorov went down in the box after 24 minutes as he raced on to a pass from Davis under a challenge by Taylor, but referee Marriner waved play on.

Ten minutes into the second half Portsmouth smade the vital breakthrough. Benjani cut in from the left and laid on the perfect pass for midfielder O'Neil who drilled home his sixth goal of the season and his third in the last four matches. Two minutes later it needed an outstanding save by Jones to prevent Wayne Routledge heading home a second goal. Then O'Neill was quickly shooting again only to see if saved.

Only in the last 15 minutes did Middlesbrough come alive and really test Portsmouts resolve to keep their narrow lead. During a hectic series of scrambles there were appeals for handball and several other offences as Portsmouth players flung themselves at the ball in a bid to keep it out of the net and claim the points.