PORTSMOUTH staged a second-half comeback in their Barclays Premiership clash with Sheffield United to maintain their hopes of challenging for Champions League qualification.

Rob Hulse headed United into an early lead when he got on the end of Derek Geary's cross in the fourth minute at Fratton Park.

Pompey pushed forward but Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was not tested until he saved from Gary O'Neil's drive late in the first half.

Pompey were level two minutes after the restart, though, when Benjani Mwaruwari's cross from the right was deflected off Phil Jagielka's heel and Robert Kozluk could not keep the ball out on the line.

And the hosts were ahead in the 54th minute when Sol Campbell rose to crash in a header from Matt Taylor's corner.

Pompey's confidence was lifted by the goals, and Taylor looked for another spectacular strike to add to his tally this season but this time cleared the crossbar with one effort and dragged another wide.

Noe Pamarot extended the lead in the 67th minute when he headed in from another corner, this time from Pedro Mendes.