Portsmouth 1 Middlesbrough 0:  Gary O'Neil's 54th-minute strike lifted Portsmouth out of the Premiership bottom three for the first time since November.

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 when he was substituted in the 67th minute.

Only after that did opponents Middlesbrough, without several key players, look capable of denying Portsmouth a sixth successive unbeaten game - but Harry Redknapp's men hung on for another crucial victory in their battle against relegation.

The home side were without Lomana LuaLua who failed a late fitness test on the ankle he damaged against Arsenal on Wednesday and was replaced by Svetoslav Todorov in the Portsmouth attack.

Middlesbrough, who face Steaua Bucharest in the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup on Thursday and then West Ham in the semi-finals of the FA Cup next Sunday, made wholesale changes.

Former Pompey striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu led their attack but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and centre back Gareth Southgate did not even make the squad after Wednesday's FA Cup replay win over Charlton.

Boro's 56th game of the season saw them without Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka, who had scored 35 goals between them in all competitions.

Yakubu was utilised as a loan striker with England prospect Stewart Downing lurking on the left flank.

Although minus the free-scoring LuaLua - who had netted four goals in his last four games - Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp stuck to his basic shape for a third game in eight days.

Pompey were content to leave two central defenders at the back while both their full-backs joined in the attack, and there was always the danger it could leave Boro to break free with the quality of Yakubu and Downing plus Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback.

Just before the interval, Yakubu wriggled clear down the left and fired in a cross-shot which none of his team mates were quick enough to convert as it sped across the goal.

After 54 minutes, Pompey made 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 Routledge heading home a second goal from Matt Taylor's cross. PA