Last Updated: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:29
Portsmouth's slender chances of playing in the npower Championship next season remain alive after they clinched three points with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Scott Allan's deflected effort in the first half, his first goal for the club, and Greg Halford's header after the break gave Michael Appleton's side back-to-back triumphs.
The victory ensures Pompey can still avoid dropping into the third tier of English football for the first time since 1983 as fellow strugglers Bristol City only drew with West Ham.
The Eagles began the evening brighter but, after Luke Varney had hit a post, Allan's effort struck Nathaniel Clyne and left Julian Speroni stranded to give the hosts a 32nd-minute lead.
Then, 10 minutes after the interval, Allan whipped in the corner which Halford nodded in from the edge of the six-yard box.
Substitute Darren Ambrose slammed home a 70th-minute penalty after the lively Wilfried Zaha had been felled but the hosts held on to fight another day.
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