Portsmouth have ended a winless run of 10 games by defeating play-off hopefuls Birmingham City at Fratton Park this evening.

The visiting Blues began the stronger and after threatening early on took the lead in the seventh minute through forward Nikola Zigic.

The Croatian controlled well on the edge of area before skipping past a challenge and drilling low past Jamie Ashdown.

Chris Hughton's men continued to press for a second before Pompey found their feet and almost equalised when Luke Varney broke clear down the left and fizzed in a low cross, but Chris Maguire couldn't put boot to ball.

The home side found their feet after the interval and were level in the 54th minute when recent signing Maguire drilled home after having a free kick rolled to him.

Birmingham's David Murphy was then dismissed for a second bookable offence and from the resulting free kick Pompey were ahead.

The ball fell to David Norris and the midfielder swivelled before finding the net from the edge of the area.

Michael Appleton's side sealed the win 13 minutes from time when Maguire found Kelvin Etuhu to smash past Myhill and the home side found a fourth in stoppage time when Greg Halford crossed for substitute Marko Futacs side-foot in.

Pompey remain bottom despite the win but are now four points from safety, while Birmingham drop from fourth to sixth.