Alan Ball's rescue bid at Portsmouth finally succeeded as they went on the
rampage against an uninspired Bradford side.
The Pompey boss may have an unenviable record of managing relegated sides,
but the boot was on the other foot as his side's win condemned his former team
Manchester City to the drop.
It was a freak goal created by an error from a former Manchester United man
which started the Pompey chimes ringing.
Goalkeeper Gary Walsh, who played 50 times for United in a 10-year spell at
Old Trafford, slipped on meeting Steve McAnespie's gentle back pass in the 40th
minute.
Sammy Igoe pounced on the error and pushed the ball to John Durnin who was
able to hit home from near the penalty spot into an empty net.
Two more goals in 10 second-half minutes from Igoe (65) and Durnin (74)
confirmed Pompey's First Division status, much to the delight of the passionate
travelling fans in the aptly-named Symphony Stand at Valley Parade.
Bradford's Craig Ramage added a consolation with four minutes remaining but
the goal was never going to affect the joy in the Portsmouth camp.
Three minutes from the end, Bradford's bad day continued when substitute
Robbie Blake was sent off after raising his elbow at Portsmouth right-back
Robbie Pethick.
The first half had been a fairly even affair with both teams enjoying a share
of the possession.
But only after 10 minutes the Pompey chimes were almost silenced by an
excellent Nigel Pepper set-piece. Michalis Vlachos pulled down Gareth Grant 20
yards from goal.
Pepper's free-kick was crisp in execution but the cross-bar intervened.
However Portsmouth heart's were in mouths as the rebound dropped to Ramage.
The midfielder's shot was weak but still found its way past Aaron Flahavan,
only to come back off the post this time into the grateful keeper's hands.
Soon afterwards, and Bradford were thankful for the woodwork. David Hillier
lobbed a pass over the Bantams defence to Mathias Svensson but the striker hit
the bar from only 10 yards.
The rebound was again unkind and Walsh had to use a magnificent one-handed
save to prevent an opener from Durnin.
But the former Liverpool and Oxford man atoned for that miss when he took
advantage of Walsh's error five minutes from the break as results elsewhere
looked to be turning against Ball's side.
Flahavan became an instant hero nine minutes after the break. Wayne Jacobs
swung a free-kick to the far post where Paul Bolland was waiting. The
midfielder's strike was good but Flahavan dived low to his left to save on the
line.
In the 65th minute, Hillier started the move for the goal that secured
Portsmouth's future. He won the ball from McAnespie and found Matthew Robinson.
The left-back sped past the challenge of Darren Moore before finding Igoe free
in the area, who hit home with glee.
Nine minutes later Durnin snatched his 10th of the season when his header
connected with Pethick's cross at the near post.
Teams:
Bradford: Walsh, McAnespie (Blake 68), Jacobs, Ramage,
Sinnott (Bower 72), Moore, Bolland, O'Brien, Grant (Steiner 56),
Edinho, Pepper.
Sent Off: Blake (88).
Booked: Sinnott.
Goals: Ramage 87.
Portsmouth: Flahavan, Pethick, Robinson, Hillier, Waterman,
Awford, Vlachos, Igoe, Svensson, Durnin, Thomson.
Subs Not Used: Allen, Hall, Aloisi.
Goals: Durnin 36, Igoe 65, Durnin 74.
Att: 15,890
Ref: G Cain (Bootle).
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