Portsmouth 2-1 Scunthorpe

More FA Cup photos

Defender Matt Taylor's brace against Third Division Scunthorpe guided Portsmouth into the FA Cup fifth round.

His first arrived after Alexei Smertin pulled a cross back for Eyal Berkovic, whose shot was parried by Tom Evans and Taylor prodded the rebound home.

Scunthorpe rallied after the restart, but Berkovic and Teddy Sheringham linked well to create time and space for Taylor to curl the ball past Evans.

Late on Andy Parton's fierce volley pulled a goal back for Scunthorpe.

The Third Division side survived an early couple of scares as Kevin Harper tumbled in the area after Terry Barwick's clumsy challenge, while Evans needed two attempts to smother a Sheringham free-kick.

KEY MOMENTS 35 mins: Taylor gives Portsmouth the lead 47 mins: Hislop reacts quickly to deny Hayes 66 mins: Taylor grabs his second 86 mins: Parton volleys home for Scunthorpe

As the game developed Porstmouth's most productive area of attack proved to be down the Scunthorpe right with Taylor seeing plenty of the ball.

Both Dejan Stefanovic and Sheringham almost found Taylor as the defender foraged forward, but their passes were slightly overhit.

After good work by Patrik Berger and Berkovic, Taylor delivered a chipped cross, which was just to high to allow Sheringham to control his header.

Just past the half-hour Taylor's adventure was finally rewarded.

Berkovic's close-range shot was beaten away by Evans and Taylor prodded home the rebound.

Rolling back the years the 38-year-old Peter Beagrie did his level best to match Taylor's vim, popping up on both flanks.

Midway through the first-half the former Everton winger's curling free-kick had Shaka Hislop scrambling across his goal, but Beagrie's shot only ended up ruffling the side netting.

Taylor was soon again in the Scunthorpe area but his header was cleared off the line by Nathan Stanton.

After the restart Scunthorpe adopted a more ambitious attacking policy.

A Cup run is great but the Premiership should come first From Pompey Have your say on 606

On 47 minutes Ian Kilford's quick free-kick fooled the Portsmouth defence giving Paul Hayes a clear shot at goal, but his effort was well saved by Hislop, who expertly narrowed the angle.

But Scunthorpe's hopes of an upset became even harder when Taylor extended Portsmouth's lead sweeping home after a flowing move.

Berkovic was again involved, feeding a pass to Sheringham, who turned Cliff Byrne, allowing the ball to run to Taylor, who cleverly guided his shot past Evans.

To their credit Scunthorpe never gave up hope and Parton's left-footed volley set up a tense finish.

---

Portsmouth: Hislop, Primus, Pasanen, Stefanovic, Taylor, Smertin (Schemmel 58), Berkovic, Hughes, Berger (Faye 58), Sheringham, Harper (Robinson 88).
Subs not used: Wapenaar, De Zeeuw.
Booked: Stefanovic.

Scunthorpe: Evans, Graves (Lee Ridley 30), Byrne, Stanton, Sharp, Sparrow, Barwick, Kilford, Beagrie, Torpey, Hayes (Parton 75).
Subs not used: Capp, Kell, Featherstone.
Booked: Byrne, Hayes.

Attendance: 17,508.

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).