Tuncay strike adds to Pompey home woe

Tuncay claimed his fourth goal in six Barclays Premier League games when James failed to hold on to a Gary O'Neil volley.

Papa Bouba Diop was outstanding for Pompey but wasted a superb chance to equalise when he shot over on the stroke of half-time.

Neither side showed much creativity in the opening 20 minutes. Niko Kranjcar had a goalbound free-kick blocked by an efficient Boro wall after Mohamed Shawky manhandled Kanu off the ball and Stewart Downing's set-piece was also blocked after a clumsy foul by Diop on Tuncay.

But then Boro gratefully collected a soft goal and a surprise lead as Pompey dithered at the back.

Tuncay started the move, seizing on the loose ball after Sol Campbell and Lee Dong-Gook contested Luke Young's long punt forward. He switched it right, from where Downing's cross sailed beyond the far post and O'Neil volleyed what looked like a shot of little power.

James should have dealt with it but fumbled and Tuncay - despite looking suspiciously offside - followed up to knock into an empty net.

Pompey's reprisals were all stoutly resisted, even though Boro picked up four bookings in the second half.

The introduction of substitutes Matt Taylor and David Nugent gave Pompey an edge, but when Richard Hughes made a rare attacking move from midfield and knocked down Taylor's free-kick in the 65th minute, Kanu shot against the post from six yards.

Pompey seemed destined not to score after that. Defeat was their first by Boro since 1994 and they have now gone 540 minutes without scoring at home.