London - Portsmouth denied Alan Shearer his first win as Newcastle United manager after a 0-0 draw at St James's Park on Monday night. The point lifts Newcastle into 18th place, above neighbours Middlesbrough on goal difference on 31 points with just four matches remaining. Portsmouth remain four places higher on 38 points.

With Newcastle sitting in the relegation zone before the match, Shearer had staked his team's hopes of survival on winning their three remaining home games, starting with the match against Portsmouth.

But the Newcastle fans and their manager are now facing a daunting task to remain in the Premier League after Portsmouth dented their hopes further as they still sit three points from safety.

Chances were few and far between for both sides throughout much of the match as Portsmouth looked to sit deep and hit Newcastle on the counter attack.

But with the home side becoming increasingly desperate to find the breakthrough as the match wore on, both sides will feel they could have found a winning goal.

The best chance for Newcastle fell to striker Michael Owen midway through the second half, but the England striker could only shoot weakly straight at Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

And Richard Hughes's headed effort against the post for Portsmouth proved to be the closest the game came to a goal with ten minutes remaining. (dpa)