Newcastle's lack of a cutting edge could well see them in the Championship next season after a lacklustre scoreless home draw with Portsmouth. Michael Owen's had a clear cut second half opportunity for the home side but he shot against David James and with it went three points.

Portsmouth then finished the stronger as Richard Hughes hit a post and Peter Crouch shot weakly against Steve Harper.

The visitor's defended well but The Magpies lacked the creative edge to deserve more than a point.

They climb above Middlesbrough into 18th and are now three points adrift of Hull with four games remaining.

Toon boss Alan Shearer rued the missed chances considering he was playing with three strikers.

He told Setanta Sports: We are very disappointed not to have won the game because we created enough chances.

"Ironically we had three strikers on the pitch, all had good chances but didn't put them away and we paid the price.

"We need to get a result, we need to get a win, time is running out. We got a point and it might be a very important point.

"I really don't know what points are required to stay up, it will go right to the wire and the final game of the season.

"The team need a win to get the momentum going but it's proving very difficult to do that."