Portsmouth caretaker boss Paul Hart says the club has rescued him from the managerial scrapheap.

Hart was ready to turn his back on the game after being sacked as boss of non-league Rushden & Diamonds in 2006 before being offered the job of academy chief at Fratton Park.

Hart, in caretaker charge for Pompey's crucial home clash with Manchester City today, said: "I owe it to Portsmouth to help them stay up - it is my duty.

"After I left Rushden I sent my cv to every club in the country and Portsmouth were the ones who gave me a chance to get back in and coach the youngsters, which is what I am best at.

"My last game in first-team management was against Northwich Victoria so enough said about that the better.

"I have very little experience at Premier League level but the last four days since I was offered the job have been fantastic.

"I do not know how long I will be here but it has already been longer than my last caretaker job, which was an hour-and-a- half at Leeds.

"That must be one of the shortest managerial careers on record but in that time I was tingling with excitement - as I have been this week."