POMPEY'S chimes could spell the death knell for Leeds United.

The prospect of losing Premiership football at Elland Road grew on Sunday as Eddie Gray's off-key side went down 2-1 to Portsmouth, who have now virtually secured their own safety.

Leeds have managed only one point from a possible nine after successive victories over Leicester and Blackburn and with two of their remaining three games away from home, their future hangs by a thread.

They are effectively four points adrift of Manchester City when goal difference is taken in to account, but too many of their players don't look capable to getting them out of trouble on yesterday's evidence.

Caretaker manager Eddie Gray said: "I do not think we performed well. We did not do enough to win the game.

"We did not have the quality to break them down. You cannot argue with the League table."

Once again poor defending, which has blighted United's season from start to finish, cost them dear against Harry Redknapp's side.

After setting the early pace, United went behind after only nine minutes when Portsmouth broke out quickly and Steve Stone's right-wing cross floated over the head of Michael Duberry and Aiyegbeni Yakubu tucked away a header.

With central defenders Dominic Matteo and Lucas Radebe in midfield, United had plenty of possession but hardly fashioned a chance for Alan Smith and young Simon Johnson, who was making his first start of the season in place of the suspended Mark Viduka.

Johnson did set up James Milner early on but his effort only found the body of goalkeeper Shaka Hislop from close range and it was Pompey who looked the more assured side and deserved their early lead.

Dejan Stefanovic scooped over the Leeds bar from six yards and Paul Robinson had to be quick off the mark to intercept Alexi Smertin's pass to Lomana LuaLua.

In contrast to Leeds' lumbering and disorganised defence, Portsmouth look sound and secure with United's midfield movement lacking invention.

Things improved for the home side when Stephen McPhail came on for injured skipper Matteo (hip) but before he had time to settle in, Portsmouth snatched a second goal.

Duberry almost steered the ball into his own net to concede a corner. It was swung in from the left and LuaLua scored from close range after Yakubu's effort had been blocked by Robinson.

Portsmouth, looking confident after their recent victory against Manchester United, then simply funnelled back to defend and break for the rest of the match.

Alan Smith was working tirelessly up front for Leeds but had little support until Nicky Barmby replaced Johnson.

Barmby could have pulled one back but shot over the top in the 73rd minute before United were handed a lifeline seven minutes from time. Linvoy Primus was adjudged to have impeded Duberry at a corner and Ian Harte calmly slotted in from the spot.

That was the signal for a late cavalry charge which saw Hislop make a superb block from Barmby to prevent an equaliser.

Manchester City are still in trouble but Tottenham eased their worries yesterday when they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with champions Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

Ironically, former Leeds striker Robbie Keane netted the injury-time equaliser to deny the Gunners.

Updated: 09:56 Monday, April 26, 2004