Portsmouth's Matthew Taylor hit a sweet brace to crack his four-month goal drought and crush plucky Scunthorpe's dreams of an FA Cup upset at Fratton Park.

Midfielder Taylor dispatched smart strikes beyond Iron goalkeeper Tom Evans in the 35th and 65th minutes to send Pompey into the fifth-round draw courtesy of this 2-1 success.

Alexei Smertin, the Russian who had never heard of Third Division Scunthorpe before this tie was drawn, set up Taylor's first goal since the Carling Cup victory against Northampton on September 29.

The 22-year-old had a header cleared off the line before completing his brace with a polished 16-yard half-volley after the break.

Brian Laws' side ensured their Premiership opponents endured a nervy finish when Andy Parton smacked home from 12 yards with five minutes left.

Before then, the closest United had come was through Paul Hayes, whose shot was well parried by Shaka Hislop.

But, despite defeat, there was certainly no shame for the visitors - who went into this fourth-round fixture on the back of a five-game goalless streak in the league and a 4-0 LDV Vans Trophy thumping by Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

It was just that the 66-place gap between the sides in the league standings proved a bridge too far for the Iron, who must now focus on extending the 14-point difference between themselves and the foot of the Football League.

Scunthorpe had been boosted by the return of 38-year-old playmaker Peter Beagrie after a hamstring injury - but were without cup-tied loan trio Phil Gulliver, Cleveland Taylor and Jeff Smith.

Pompey chief Harry Redknapp, back from a scouting mission for strikers in Spain, pinned his attacking hopes on his own veteran, 37-year-old Teddy Sheringham - the home side's only senior forward.

A neat link-up between Taylor, Sheringham and Eyal Berkovic ended with Taylor skying from the edge of the box in the fourth minute.

United survived a penalty scare in the 10th minute, when Kevin Harper tumbled in the area after a clumsy challenge by Terry Barwick.

Laws' lowly side were gradually settling in amid their lofty surroundings.

The North Lincolnshire outfit threatened on occasions and Beagrie had their first effort of note - a cheeky 40-yard free-kick whipped in from the left wing which flew into the side-netting as Shaka Hislop scrambled across his goalline.

Hislop's opposite number Tom Evans momentarily spilt Sheringham's own set-piece attempt, but leapt on the loose ball as Dejan Stefanovic was poised to tap home.

Matthew Sparrow shot on the turn in the 34th minute but his effort was easily lapped up by Hislop.

Pompey's first moment of real incision earned them the opener a minute later.

Smertin raced to the right byline and cut the ball back. Berkovic's shot was brilliantly parried by Evans and Taylor swept home the rebound.

Taylor almost made it two goals in three minutes - but Nathan Stanton headed off his goalline when the midfielder nodded Kevin Harper's deep cross goalwards from an acute angle.

Scunthorpe had a sight of goal a minute after the interval but Steve Torpey's header bounced wide.

And the minnows had their best chance yet 60 seconds later. Ian Kilford's crafty quick free-kick caught the Pompey defence napping but Hayes' shot-on-the-turn was blocked on Hislop.

Pompey midfielder Amdy Faye came on for Patrik Berger just before the hour to make made his first appearance since a month-long knee injury lay-off.

The home side established a 2-0 lead in the 65th minute, through another polished finish by Taylor.

Substitute Sebastian Schemmel cross from the right was touched on by Sheringham and Taylor smacked home a tidy half-volley from just inside the box.

Beagrie stung Hislop's palms with a fizzing 25-yarder as the visitors attempted to pull one back.

Harper produced an horrendous slice when he should have made it 3-0.

And the Iron did reduce the deficit to 2-1 with five minutes left when a poor Stefanovic header fell to Scunthorpe sub Parton - who thumped it into the net.

Teams

Portsmouth: Hislop, Primus, Pasanen, Stefanovic, Taylor, Smertin (Schemmel 58), Berkovic, Hughes, Berger (Faye 58), Sheringham, Harper (Robinson 88).

Subs Not Used: Wapenaar, De Zeeuw.

Booked: Stefanovic.

Goals: Taylor 35, 66.

Scunthorpe: Evans, Graves (Lee Ridley 30), Byrne, Stanton, Sharp, Sparrow, Barwick, Kilford, Beagrie, Torpey, Hayes (Parton 75).

Subs Not Used: Capp, Kell, Featherstone.

Booked: Byrne, Hayes.

Goals: Parton 89.

Att: 17,508

Ref: G Barber (Hertfordshire).