Frederic Piquionne scored twice as crisis club Portsmouth became the first team into this season's FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win at home to fellow Premier League side Birmingham City on Saturday.

The French forward scored twice in three second-half minutes for 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth. For the first, Piquionne forced the ball home from close range, and in the 70th minute, he was played in by Jamie O'Hara and beat Joe Hart when one-on-one with the goalkeeper to the delight of the Fratton Park faithful.

Now O'Hara, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is hoping Pompey avoid his parent club in the semi-finals should Spurs beat London rivals Fulham in Saturday's other quarter-final. "I will be watching the draw very closely and hopefully we will dodge them," said O'Hara. "I want them to do well, but I want two games at Wembley.

"The fans are fantastic. They have got a bit of magic about them. Today (Saturday) was all about giving something back to them because it has been a bit of a torrid season. But we are going to Wembley now and that is fantastic for everyone involved in the club," he said.

Birmingham thought they'd scored through Liam Ridgewell's close-range header with 10 minutes left. Replays showed the ball had crossed the line but the officials did not let the 'goal' stand and Portsmouth were on their way to Wembley for the semi-finals.

"Not as far as I am aware," said Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James  when asked if City had scored. "Maybe we can debate that on the way home, but we won 2-0 as far as the score goes and I think we deserved. Happy days."

Portsmouth, bottom of English football's top flight and facing the prospect of all but certain relegation, are currently in administration and their estimated debts of 76 million pounds (115 million dollars) could yet see the club go out of business.

Sunday's last eight ties see Premier League leaders Chelsea up against Stoke whilst second-tier Reading, the lowest ranked club left in the tournament, are at home to League Cup finalists Aston Villa.