Time running out for Toon

Newcastle 0 Portsmouth 0:Newcastle United produced little evidence of a late-season rally against Portsmouth at St James's Park this evening, settling for a scoreless draw that lifts them into 18th but still leaves them mired in a relegation dogfight. On this showing, however, their fans will be having serious doubts as to whether they have the teeth for it.

Alan Shearer's side are now level on points with north-east rivals Middlesbrough and just three ahead of bottom side West Bromwich Albion.

Portsmouth will be more than satisified, with their share of the points moving them into 14th and seven away from the danger zone.

Shearer is now without a win in four games as manager, but it could have been different had Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen not wasted good opportunities for the hosts, although Pompey had their chances too.

After a cagey start, Pompey were the first to have an effort on goal when a well-worked free-kick saw Glen Johnson fire goalwards, but the Newcastle defence managed to block the shot and scramble it clear.

Five minutes later a swift counter-attack by Nadhir Belhadj almost presented Peter Crouch with a chance, but his cross-cum-shot was cut out at the expense of a corner.

Newcastle managed their first meaningful effort just short of the half hour mark when Owen's lay-off teed-up Alan Smith, but his drive was blocked. Moments later, Mark Viduka diverted a Danny Guthrie shot just wide of goal with Hermann Hreidarsson mopping up the danger.

Sean Davis's curling effort then forced Steve Harper to parry over the bar, while Damien Duff's right-footed effort was turned around the post by David James.

But Martins missed the best chance of the first period two minutes before the interval when he launched a volley over the bar from 12 yards out.

Mark Viduka saw a shot comfortably saved by James as the second half got underway, while Crouch saw penalty appeals waved away after going down under a Fabricio Coloccini challenge in the box.

Owen spurned a glorious chance when through one-on-one against James, but the Pompey keeper saved his poorly-struck effort.

Belhadj's rapid burst then almost produced a goal from nothing, but Harper was equal to his effort, while Crouch found himself through on goal, but his weak effort was comfortably saved.

Newcastle were let off the hook when Richard Hughes saw his header from Jermaine Pennant's corner strike the base of the post.

As time wore on, Pompey kept the ball well ahead of their goal and when Newcastle ahd possession they looked totally devoid of ideas and the game fizzled out as their bemused fans filtered out.