Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor's red card in first half stoppage time opened the way for another vital Portsmouth home win in their battle against relegation.

And it also set up their Midlands visitors' second defeat of the Easter weekend - another blow to their hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Northern Ireland star Taylor, who has just completed a £1.5million move from Fulham to St Andrews after being there on a season's loan, had to take the long, early walk after handling outside his area in a major mix-up with team-mate and namesake Martin Taylor.

Kent referee Barry Knight looked totally confused as the two Taylors initially left Linvoy Primus' hopeful long ball to one another - and then the keeper handled out of bounds in desperation before Aiyegbeni Yakubu slipped home the loose ball.

Knight consulted linesman John Holbrook as both sides protested at Fratton Park, and Eyal Berkovic, Pompey's tiny Israeli, had a dust-up on the touchline with Birmingham's big Irish defender Kenny Cunningham.

Finally Knight awarded a free kick just outside the area, sent off Taylor and Dejan Stefanovic, Portsmouth's Serbian international defender, blasted his third goal of the season.

Pompey had been on top with Berkovic a real livewire, but there was never much doubt about their success once Birmingham, beaten 2-1 at home by Manchester United on Saturday, had been reduced to 10 men.

On-loan Newcastle forward Lomana Lualua carved them up with his pace and eventually grabbed Pompey's second goal in the 63rd minute with a spectacular solo effort.

He burst clear down the left from half way, saw his initial cross towards Yakubu cut out but fastened onto the rebound and rammed it home.

Pompey were worried briefly when Stern John scrambled one back for the visitors four minutes later thanks to frailty in the home defence.

But after Cunningham handled a Yakubu drive in the 73rd minute, the Nigerian stepped up to roll home his fourth goal in four games from the spot.

It was his equaliser which kept Portsmouth out of the bottom three in a 1-1 draw at Charlton on Saturday and now they are unbeaten in four games - three of them wins.

Replacement Ian Bennett's first task was to pick the ball out of the Birmingham net after Dejan Stefanovic knocked in his third goal of the season from the 18 yards free kick which was the double whammy to Taylor's red card.

Taylor had kept Birmingham on terms with a superb reaction save to deny Amdy Faye on 21 minutes.

The industrious Berkovic curled in a free kick after being fouled near the corner of the penalty area and Faye's close-range headed flick was met by a strong hand from Taylor who turned it over the crossbar.

Lualua's pace was a big concern for Birmingham and he almost burst clean through in pursuit of Steve Stone's shrewd pass.

Then, in the 28th minute, the on-loan Newcastle striker - starting in place of Teddy Sheringham - was caught fractionally offside as he tried to latch onto a Berkovic through-ball.

It was Berkovic again who played Lualua in two minutes later and only resolute defending by Matthew Upson drove the home raider wide of the mark and unable to get in a shot.

Pompey deserved reward for their clear superiority in the opening half-hour and Lualua almost dribbled his way into the six-yard box following a clever prompt by Stone. Birmingham's defenders had to be right on their toes.

Mikael Forssell worked hard, trying to create space for himself in attack for Birmingham but the service from the back and midfield was not forthcoming for the 17-goal on loan striker who was substituted before the end.

Even the irritating Robbie Savage, who had passed a late fitness test on a damaged ankle, made little impact, showed poor touch and started only minor arguments over the placing of free kick. It was no surprise to see him also substituted before the hour-mark.

Referee Knight tried to show his authority when Yakubu and Savage had a shoving match but it was clear that neither player responded to his headmasterly lecture.

So Knight, who had already piled up a litany of questionable decisions, decided to get tough when keeper Taylor handled outside his area in first-half stoppage time - after he and Martin Taylor left Primus' hopeful long ball to one another.

The referee, responding to a linesman's flag, wiped out the "goal" Yakubu had struck from the loose ball and after the dust had settled from the protests of both sides - with Berkovic and Kenny Cunningham appearing to swing arms at each other on the touchline - awarded a free kick which Stefanovic smartly despatched from the edge of the area.

It was virtually all downhill for Birmingham after that.

Despite a sticky spell when John pulled a goal back and the home defenders were left cursing one another, Pompey always ruled the roost.

And even when Birmingham substitute Clinton Morrison neatly lobbed home in the dying minutes he was fractionally offside.

Teams

Portsmouth Hislop, Primus (Pasanen 50), Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Taylor, Faye (Harper 82), Smertin, Berkovic (Quashie 74), Stone, LuaLua, Yakubu.

Subs Not Used: Wapenaar, Sheringham.

Booked: Quashie.

Goals: Stefanovic 45, LuaLua 62, Yakubu 73 pen.

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Tebily (Bennett 45), Martin Taylor, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Hughes, Savage (Clemence 58), Clapham, Forssell (Morrison 78), John.

Subs Not Used: Motteram, Cisse.

Sent Off: Maik Taylor (45).

Booked: Cunningham, Clemence.

Goals: John 67.

Att: 20,104

Ref: B Knight (Kent).