Portsmouth 3 Birmingham City 1: Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor's red card in first-half stoppage time opened the way for another vital Portsmouth home win in their battle against relegation.

Northern Ireland international Taylor was sent off after handling outside his area in a mix-up with team-mate Martin Taylor. Referee Barry Knight looked totally confused as the two Taylors left Linvoy Primus's long ball to one another - and then the keeper handled out of bounds in desperation before Aiyegbeni Yakubu fired home the loose ball. Knight consulted linesman John Holbrook awarded a free kick outside the area, sent off Taylor and Dejan Stefanovic blasted his third goal of the season.

The dismissal strengthened Portsmouth's grip on a game they had already dominated and on-loan Newcastle forward Lomana LuaLua grabbed Portsmouth's second in the 63rd minute with a spectacular solo effort.

Stern John scrambled one back for the visitors four minutes later but after Kenny Cunningham handled a Yakubu drive in the 73rd minute, the Nigerian stepped up to roll home his fourth goal in four games from the spot.

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop, Primus (Pasanen 50), Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Taylor, Faye (Harper 82), Smertin, Berkovic (Quashie 74), Stone, LuaLua, Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Wapenaar, Sheringham. Booked: Quashie. Goals: Stefanovic 45, LuaLua 62, Yakubu 73 pen.

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Maik Taylor, Tebily (Bennett 45), Martin Taylor, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Hughes, Savage (Clemence 58), Clapham, Forssell (Morrison 78), John. Subs Not Used: Motteram, Cisse. Sent Off: Maik Taylor (45). Booked: Cunningham, Clemence. Goal: John 67.

Referee: B Knight (Kent).