Portsmouth's latest version of the Great Escape ensured that their record as the First Division's longest-serving members remains intact.

For the third time in five years, Pompey defied the odds to avoid tears on the final day of the campaign.

Graham Rix's side, third from bottom this morning, went into the contest knowing they had to better whatever result fellow strugglers Crystal Palace could muster at Stockport to ensure First Division survival.

A victory could also send either Huddersfield or Grimsby down but the south coast club started proceedings in the precarious position of their own destiny being in others' hands.

The game started in a subdued atmosphere despite chairman Milan Mandaric's pre-match rallying cry from the centre circle.

But Portsmouth eased their early nerves with a splendidly-worked opener 18 minutes in.

Captain Scott Hiley strode into acres of space down the right flank and crossed to the feet of Bradbury, who stumbled around two challenges before steadying himself and planting a right-foot shot into the top corner from 10 yards.

If the former Crystal Palace forward's 10th goal of the season was greeted with sighs of relief by the Pompey faithful, screams of joy should have shortly followed but for a howler by Steve Lovell.

In the very next foray forward, Gary Brady slipped Lovell in behind the visitors backline with a slide-rule pass and although he completed the hard work and rounded goalkeeper Kevin Miller he somehow sidefooted wide of the far post.

Mid-table Barnsley responded with Carl Barrowclough forcing Aaron Flahavan to hold his 21st-minute drive, and Linvoy Primus appeared to halt Neil Shipperley's progress on the edge of the box with a shove that went unpunished.

Lovell had claims of his own turned down at the other end when Chris Morgan brought him down in the area and the prostrate forward was then shoved by Darren Barnard as the Tykes cleared.

Having begun the second period in the knowledge that Palace were doomed as things stood, Portsmouth continued in positive fashion.

Visiting keeper Miller, who had produced a splendid point-blank save to turn over a Bradbury effort before the deadlock had been broken, palmed away a 47th-minute Brady curler and gathered the rebound.

But he was beaten for a second time just after the hour to send the Fratton faithful wild.

Gary O'Neil, the youngest-ever player in the club's history when he made his debut against Barnsley last season, netted his first goal for the club to climax a thrilling passing move.

The 17-year-old midfielder fed Lee Sharpe, who backheeled into the path of Kevin Harper and the Scot in turn teed up O'Neil for a simple sidefoot from six yards.

Home hearts fluttered twice in the space of 60 seconds as substitute Mike Sheron unleashed a drive that Flahavan touched over and then headed goalward only for Hiley to hack off the line.

Almost immediately, however, the match was over as Portsmouth swiftly turned defence into attack.

Hiley found Lovell with a searching long ball, the striker twisted and turned in the area and found Harper at the back post, who produced an exquisite finish to nestle the ball under the angle.

The home fans were in ecstasy but the May madness had clearly got to Brady as the midfielder was dismissed for a despicable double headbutt on Barnsley's Darren Barnard 12 minutes from time.

Teams:

Portsmouth Flahavan, Primus, Hiley, Vincent, Tiler, Sharpe, O'Neil, Harper, Bradbury, Lovell (Crowe 89), Brady.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Nightingale, Wolleaston, Panopoulos.

Sent Off: Brady (78).

Goals: Bradbury 17, O'Neil 63, Harper 75.

Barnsley Miller, Appleby, Barker, Morgan, Barnard (Bertos 79), Bullock, Barrowclough (Kay 55), Neil, Parkin, Shipperley, Dyer (Sheron 70).

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Mulligan.

Booked: Morgan, Appleby, Kay.

Att: 13,064

Ref: P Walton (Northants).