Portsmouth squeeze into last 16

Last updated : 25 January 2004 By Alex Dale
Matthew Taylor underlined his intentions to impress the Premiership for the remainder of the season with a brace which gave Pompey the driver's seat, but a Stefanovic error near the death almost left Portsmouth spiraling out of control as Scunthorpe sub Andy Parton lifted his shot over Shaka Hislop to leave fans desperate for the final whistle.

Portsmouth struggling to defeat Third Division opposition? Hey, it's the FA Cup. And Pompey, having avoided another Leyton Orient-style embarrassment, march into the Fifth Round, a trip which could take them into the unknown.

Among the names left in the hat are Tranmere, who eliminated Southampton in their famous 2001 campaign, Swansea, complete with Pompey target Duffy, and some more well known names, such as Arsenal and Chelsea, who were just as unconvincing against Conference Scarborough.

In other news, Neil Barrett, who has struggled to break into the first team, has joined Scottish crisis club Dundee onloan until the end of the season.