The full-time whistle means Boro are mathematically safe from the drop and can certainly take heart from a performance like this as they were relatively untroubled in the second half.

Boateng has been all over the pitch for the home side and he is replaced for the last couple of minutes with Lee Cattermole

Time is fast running out for Pompey and in truth, they haven't worked Schwarzer at all in this second half.

Premier League survival now looks guaranteed for Boro and Southgate will be pleased with his side's defensive work today, while the Tuncay-Alves partnership looks promising.

Portsmouth are quickly back on the attack but crosses into the box are not finding their targets and Boro dealing with them pretty comfortably.

Boro who have been on the back foot for the last ten minutes are so are almost celebrating a third but Ashdown gets fingertips to Downing's curling effort to avert the danger.

Pompey are turning the screw but they won't thank Johnson blazing wide from 25 yards out with bodies in the box.

The visitors are enjoying more of the possession at the moment but they are struggling to find a way through as Boro are defending pretty strongly.

Downing possibly takes the wrong option by going for goal and his 35-yarder never looks like troubling Ashdown.

Redknapp decides to make a double change and brings off the tunnel-visioned Baros and Papa Bouba Diop for David Nugent and Sean Davis.

Portsmouth are certainly on top at the moment but they are finding the Boro rearguard a tough nut to crack and Redkanpp's 200th game in charge of the south coast club looks like ending in defeat.

Kranjcar is looking the most dangerous of the Pompey players and again he goes close but his curling effort just doesn't quite curl enough.

Alves has picked up a knock and cannot continue, and he is replaced by Jeremie Aliadiere.

Baros is upended by Boateng to give Pompey a free kick in a dangerous position around 30 yards out. However, Kranjcar's drilled shot is wide right and Boro breathe again.

Harry Redknapp's side look to rebound quickly and are starting to pose their first goal threat in this second period but Wheater blocks Niko Kranjcar's effort.

Boro win another corner and it is again poor defending as Johnson lets his man go, and a free Tuncay is able to send his header low past Ashdown and surely guarantee Boro's survival.

Arca is late with his challenge on Diarra and joins his victim in the notebook with the game's second booking.

The game restarts with Portsmouth looking to come from behind, but they will hope for more from Jermain Defoe who had a disappointing first half.

In a lively first half, both teams created chances and Pompey will feel a little disappointed they are behind but a moment of poor defending has cost them.

Diarra finds himself as the first name in the referee's notebook after a foul on George Boateng.

Boro do well to win a corner and Rochemback whips one over from the right. The defending is all over the place as far as Pompey are concerned and Chris Riggott rises highest to power a header past Ashdown.

Johnson goes on of his raids down the right but his driven effort from distance is easy for Mark Schwarzer.

Papa Bouba Diop and Hermann Hreidarsson both have long-range efforts blocked as Pompey try to re-assert themselves.

The chances have just started to dry up as the offside flag interrupts play at both ends but it continues to be a lively game.

Gareth Southgate will be pleased with his side's performance now after a tentative start as Alves goes close but can't keep his effort on target.

Boro are just starting to get in the ascendancy and Downing goes for goal again but Sylvain Distin throws his body in the way and the danger passes.

Julio Arca creates some space for himself and sends over a nice looking cross but Downing's header goes wide of the post.

It is Boro's turn to come forward now and the ball is played to the edge of the box but Downing's ambitious volley is always going over.

Pompey work Arnold Mvuemba in space down the wing and his cross is met by Baros but his shot goes over the crossbar.

Stewart Downing is beginning to have an influence on proceedings and providing some dangerous balls in from the left but Pompey, led by Campbell, are keeping him at bay for the moment.

The play has just started to get a little scrappy as both teams are giving away free-kicks which is breaking up the flow of the game - no cards though.

After a tentative start from the home side, they are just starting to find their feet now and the game is beginning to liven up.

Boro respond and launch their first serious attack of the game. Sol Campbell does well to deny Tuncay's effort while Jamie Ashdown parries Martins Afonso Alves' follow-up away from danger.

Lassana Diarra threaded the ball through to Milan Baros in the box but his shot was blocked by David Wheater. The ball rebounds to Glen Johnson but he drags his effort wide of the target.

Pompey have settled into this game the quicker of the two as the home side look a little tentative in the opening exchanges but no chances as yet.

Both teams, mathematically speaking, still have something to play for with Middlesbrough worried about the drop and Pompey within reach of a fifth-placed finish in the league. We'll see how this one pans out.

Portsmouth line-up: Ashdown, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Diop, Diarra, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe

Boro line-up: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Alves