Forest's morale suffered another hammer blow as Steve Claridge grabbed the only goal at the City Ground.

BBC Radio 5 Live's David Oates reports from the City Ground

The home side were hoping for a good FA Cup run to ease some of the pressure in their fight against relegation.

But the third round tie ended with supporters calling for the sacking of manager Dave Bassett and the return for former Forest favourite Stuart Pearce.

Forest boss Dave Bassett was the subject of resignation rumours after seeing his side knocked out of the FA Cup by First Division opponents.

Bassett failed to attend a press conference after a game which ended with disgruntled supporters called for him to be sacked and replaced by former Forest favourite Stuart Pearce.

Only 10,000 turned up for the match, with Forest seeking a lift after a run of 17 Premiership matches without a win.

Portsmouth are in serious financial straits and striker Claridge kept their hopes of a lucrative Cup run alive with the only goal of the game in the 17th minute.

Rolling back the years

Forest's team included 39-year-old goalkeeper Dave Beasant, a Cup winner with Wimbledon 11 years ago, and he soon proved he still retains the agility of old.

The visitors carved out a third minute shooting chance for Sammy Igoe but Beasant managed to adjust his position to tip his swirling effort onto the crossbar and away for a corner.

Portsmouth's Steve Claridge (Centre) celebrates his goal

Claridge was just too high with a header but Portsmouth's Michalis Vlachos was shown the yellow card for a foul and then given a final warning for bringing down Andy Johnson.

Steve Chettle's subsequent free-kick was deflected but Pompey 'keeper Alan Knight kept the ball out with his legs.

It was a valuable stop and they responded by taking the lead when Jeff Peron made a determined run into the Forest box before finding Claridge, who forced the ball home at the second attempt.

Scot Gemmill almost brought the home side level on his 28th birthday after a 1-2 with Chris Bart-Williams, but their performance became increasingly disjointed as the half wore on.

Claridge robbed Jon Olav Hjelde on the half-way line and set off for the Forest penalty area but directed his shot straight at a grateful Beasant.

Badly missed

Forest badly needed the absent Pierre van Hooijdonk's quality up front and there was no-one at the far post when Steve Stone pulled a dangerous ball back across the box.

Forest manager Dave Bassett (left) looks on in anguish

Bassett sent on Andy Gray in place of Des Lyttle in a bid to pep up his side and Gemmill warmed Knight's hands with a stinging drive.

But Luke Nightingale went close to a second for Portsmouth which would have put the tie beyond Forest's reach.

Striker Neil Shipperley showed why he has not scored a goal in nine games by firing into the crowd from the edge of the box and Beasant was sent forward to provide an extra threat in the dying moments.

Vachlos made a goal-line clearance from a scrambled effort and time ran out with Forest still striving for an equaliser.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Jean, Lyttle, Freedman, Chettle, Hjelde, Stone, Gemmill, Shipperley, Johnson, Bart-Williams. Subs: Doig, Crossley, Quashie, Gray, Harewood.

Portsmouth: Knight, Robinson, F. Simpson, McLoughlin, Waterman, Andreasson, Thomson, Peron, Vlachos, Claridge, Igoe. Subs: Phillips, Day, Nightingale, Perrett, R. Simpson.