Bristol City's long wait for victory over Premier League opposition continues after FA Cup holders Portsmouth pulled rank at Ashton Gate.

Although they came mightily close against Middlesbrough two seasons ago and again on a night of near misses in this third-round replay, the Robins have not claimed a top-flight scalp since slaying Liverpool's giants at Anfield in 1994.

Pompey's replay triumph may have been mired in controversy, but there can be no doubt they deserved to progress to the fourth round, where they will again meet Championship opposition in the form of Swansea, 2-1 winners over non-League minnows Histon on a night devoid of shocks.

Aggrieved Bristol City players felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Peter Crouch appeared to handle the ball inside his own 18-yard box when defending a Lee Johnson corner after 37 minutes.

But Cheshire official Mick Jones waved their appeals aside and, to add insult to injury, Crouch scored the crucial opening goal less than 60 seconds later, racing up-field to meet Armand Traore's cross with a shot from close-range.

And Pompey's first win in five games was assured when Nadir Belhadj sprinted clear of the covering defence to present Niko Kranjcar with a simple chance to make it 2-0 with two minutes remaining.

City then squandered an opportunity to put themselves back in the game, Nicky Maynard earning a penalty, only to see his spot kick saved by David James.

The home side could have few complaints. Pompey may have beaten five Championship sides to lift the Cup last season, but manager Tony Adams was taking no chances and named his strongest line-up.

The Premier League side arrived at Ashton Gate having not conceded an FA Cup goal in 535 minutes and, although City applied pressure, they seldom appeared capable of denting a resolute defence, marshalled by Sol Campbell and James.

City boss Johnson encouraged his players to take the game to the holders, but it was Pompey who posed the greater threat.

Indeed, the Premier League visitors were the first to carve out a meaningful opening, Armand Traore forcing Basso into a smart save at his near post, while the fit-again Glen Johnson cruised past Liam Fontaine and sent an angled shot over the bar.

Moments later, flying winger Ivan Sproule cut between Belhadj and Marc Wilson, only to poke his shot wide.

City went closer still when Maynard met Fontaine's cross from the left with a diving header which was stopped on the line by a full-stretch David James.

Pompey's march to last season's FA Cup final was founded upon staunch defence and, sure enough, the formation deployed by manager Tony Adams smacked of safety first, with Wilson and Younes Kaboul asked to sit deep and protect the back four and Crouch charged with the task of single-handedly leading the line.

As a consequence, City were allowed to see more of the ball than in the first tie and Maynard took advantage to send a long-range shot dipping inches over the crossbar with James back-pedalling furiously.

That incident served as a wake-up call to the Cup holders, who finally applied a concerted spell of pressure as half-time approached.

Basso had to be at his best to keep out efforts from David Nugent and Traore as Pompey upped the pace and committed more men to attack. But there was nothing the Brazilian goalkeeper could do when the visitors carved City's defence wide open seven minutes before the interval.

Belhadj transformed defence into attack in the twinkling of an eye and fed Traore, who outstripped Fontaine to deliver a low cross, which rendered Crouch's close-range finish straightforward.

It was the beanpole striker's 13th goal of the season and, given the pressure currently being felt by his manager, perhaps his most important.

Furious City players crowded around referee Jones in protest, claiming Crouch had handled the ball in his own penalty area while defending a corner seconds before initiating the length-of-the-pitch counter-offensive which yielded the goal.

And they were still protesting as they trooped off at half-time, Lee Johnson taking things too far and earning a yellow card for dissent.

City boss Johnson urged his players to seize the game by the scruff of the neck and the home side emerged for the second half with renewed purpose. Sproule twice beat Belhadj for pace, on the second occasion providing a cross from which Bradley Orr headed wide from six yards out.

Yet Pompey continued to create the more meaningful chances and Crouch should have doubled their lead and put the game beyond the Championship side nine minutes into the second period.

Nugent's flicked header caught City's defence square and Crouch held off Jamie McCombe, only to somehow steer his shot wide of the target with just Basso to beat.

City's manager introduced Stern John, Michael McIndoe and Dele Adebola in a bold quest to conjure an equaliser, only for Pompey to successfully keep the Championship underdogs at arm's length.

Indeed, Portsmouth looked the more likely side to score and Basso had to produce his best save of the night 10 minutes from time to keep out a stinging drive from the fast-raiding Belhadj.

When Belhadj broke clear moments later and set-up Kranjcar, there was little Basso could do to prevent his shot finding the back of the net.

City were thrown a potential lifeline a minute from time when Maynard went down under duress from Campbell. The young striker took responsibility for the resultant penalty, only to be denied by the outstanding James, who hurled himself to his right to pull off a fine save.