Relegation looms for Leeds

Leeds United 1 Portsmouth 2

While they are only three points adrift of Manchester City they are fast running out of time after this defeat by Portsmouth. Three games remain and two are away, perhaps crucially against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.

Leeds have managed only one point from a possible nine after successive victories over Leicester and Blackburn gave them a glimmer of hope. Should caretaker manager Eddie Gray keep the debt-riddled club up, it will be an achievement to savour.

Portsmouth are surely secure as they are now on 40 points following only their second away win in the league.

Gray believes Leeds need to win their last three games to have any chance of staying in the top flight.

"For us to stay up I think we have to win the three matches and that has not happened in sequence this season. It is going to be extremely difficult. I felt this was a fixture we had to win.

"You have to be realistic in football and we know how difficult it will be now. We gave away a couple of sloppy goals and lacked the quality to break Portsmouth down," Gray said.

"But where there are points to play for, we have to continue to work hard in the hope of getting results. We have not performed well enough, it's quite simple but the boys worked hard to the end of the game."

A late goal from Ian Harte from the penalty spot threw Leeds a lifeline but they could not get that elusive equaliser. Gray said: "If you win the league, it is because you deserved to win it. If you play 38 games and you are in the bottom three you deserve to be relegated."

Portsmouth secured a two-goal cushion through Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Lomana LuaLua. They are now almost certainly safe after picking up 16 points out of a possible 18.

Manager Harry Redknapp said: "We are nearly there, I think we need another result. I always believed that we would be okay once we got our best players back.

"It was a hectic last 10 minutes but up until then we showed good control after I changed the system."

Leeds were denied a late equaliser when goalkeeper Shaka Hislop spectacularly turned away a shot from Nick Barmby at his near post.

Redknapp said: "If you like football and are a Pompey fan it has been the best two years of your life. We won the championship last year and now as it looks as though we are staying in the Premier League, you have to enjoy it."

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Caldwell, Duberry, Harte, Pennant, Radebe (Lennon 71), Matteo (McPhail 45), Milner, Smith, Simon Johnson (Barmby 59).

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop, Primus, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Taylor, Stone (Harper 80), Faye, Smertin, Quashie, Yakubu, LuaLua (Sheringham 74).

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).