Preston kept up their play-off hopes with two second-half strikes after visitors Portsmouth had dominated the opening period.

Clyde Wijnhard and Graham Alexander grabbed the goals which allowed the Lilywhites to keep up the promotion pace in a game which also saw Pompey's Svetoslav Todorov sent off.

The visitors started the quicker of the two teams with Kevin Harper, keen to prove there is life after the departure of Peter Crouch to Aston Villa, going close three times in the opening quarter of an hour.

After two minutes the former Derby man tested home goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen, deputising after the late withdrawal of David Lucas.

Six minutes later Harper headed wide when he should have done better from point-blank range, and soon after had Moilanen scrambling across his goal after a 20-yard effort.

Play-off chasing Preston are also getting used to life without their star striker after Jon Macken's £5million move to Manchester City, and replacement Wijnhard twice went close from distance in a fast-paced opening.

Scott Wilson almost made a dream start to his Pompey career in the 20th minute.

The on-loan Rangers defender met Jamie Vincent's free-kick powerfully but Moilanen was equal to his headed effort.

Redknapp, taking charge of his first match since Graham Rix's departure, gave debuts to all three of his transfer deadline day signings.

Eddie Howe, who cost £400,000 from Bournemouth, joined Wilson in the centre of defence, while Middlesbrough's Mark Summerbell, on a month's loan, came into midfield.

As half-time approached Preston's Iain Anderson went close with a spectacular effort from the edge of the area and Dickson Etuhu fired over but it would have been harsh on Redknapp's men.

Kelham O'Hanlon, himself one of the substitutes following Lucas' withdrawal, threw on Rob Edwards for Adam Eaton at half-time as he looked to shore up his shaky defence.

Pompey made a change of their own at the back after 51 minutes, Howe's debut being cut short by injury, and just after the hour Wijnhard took advantage of his departure to open the scoring.

Lee Cartwright's cross found the former Leeds man unmarked six yards out and he made no mistake with a spectacular right-foot volley.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors a minute later when they were reduced to 10 men.

Todorov took exception to Sean Gregan's industrial looking challenge on him and was sent off for violent conduct after striking out.

Preston increased their advantage from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Wilson was adjudged to have brought down Wijnhard, Gary Alexander coolly despatching the resulting spot-kick.

Gareth Ainsworth came on for his Preston debut after his deadline day loan move from Wimbledon and his new team-mates almost grabbed a third with five minutes remaining, Wijnhard beating Dave Beasant but seeing his shot come back off the woodwork.

Teams

Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Lucketti, Gregan, Edwards (Eaton 45), Cartwright (Ainsworth 76), Anderson, Etuhu, McKenna, Wijnhard (Healy 87), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: O'Hanlon, Rankine.

Booked: Gregan, Cartwright.

Goals: Wijnhard 64, Alexander 70 pen.

Portsmouth: Beasant, Wilson, Howe (Cooper 52), Buxton, O'Neil, Summerbell, Brady (Vine 67), Vincent, Quashie, Todorov, Harper.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Barrett, Pitt.

Sent Off: Todorov (66).

Booked: Wilson, Quashie.

Att: 16,832

Ref: M Cooper (Walsall).