Portsmouth secured a massive lift in their Championship survival fight, snatching a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough thanks to a goal deep into stoppage time. John Mousinho’s side ended an eight-game winless streak courtesy of Andre Dozzell's deflected volley seven minutes into added time. This result dealt immediate damage to Boro’s own ambitions for automatic promotion.

Boro dominated proceedings, recording 20 shots compared to Pompey’s mere three attempts, yet they have now gone six matches without a win. Their offensive woes are stark; they have managed only four goals in their last six outings. Despite controlling possession, Middlesbrough squandered several clear openings, including a promising two-on-one attack involving Tommy Conway.

Before the late drama, Portsmouth looked destined for the relegation zone, but Dozzell’s strike keeps them one point clear of the bottom three. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, sit three points adrift of second-placed Ipswich, who hold two games in hand. Their failure to convert pressure into goals proved costly against a resilient visiting defence.

Schmid, the Portsmouth keeper, made several key stops, denying Alan Browne and Dael Fry before the break, and Riley McGree in the second half. The single moment of quality arrived when Dozzell struck, leaving Boro’s promotion hopes feeling distinctly fragile after this home defeat to Portsmouth.