Portsmouth 2-0 Birmingham: The Daily Mirror match report

After an FA Cup miracle, Pompey defender Hermann Hreidarsson now fears a Fratton Park massacre.

Crisis club Portsmouth, rock-bottom of the Premier League and almost out of business last month, are through to their second FA Cup semi-final in three seasons.

But all the jubilation of a sensational Saturday on the south coast will be shattered if Pompey off-field staff are sacked by club administrators this week.

Hreidarsson, one of only four starters remaining from the FA Cup-winning team of 2008, said he was still “angry” with the financial meltdown which threatens so many jobs at Fratton Park.

Around £86million in debt, Pompey face another High Court battle with the taxmen this week and must now haggle with the FA to obtain the £1m windfall for beating Birmingham to set up a semi-final with Fulham or Tottenham.

The defender was part of Harry Redknapp’s side which won 1-0 at Old

Trafford at the same stage in 2008 before repeating that score twice at Wembley to lift the Cup. But a place in the semi-final this season is an even bigger achievement, according to the big Icelander.

“It’s been a crazy season, it really has,” Hreidarsson admitted.

“It’s a great feeling to be going back to Wembley because it’s been doom and gloom all year.

“Getting to Wembley this season is without doubt a greater achievement than getting there two years ago, even though we beat United away that season.

“With everything that has been going on, it’s almost unbelievable.”

But Hreidarsson, the club’s PFA rep, knows the players will not be the losers under the new cost-cutting regime.

“Footballers are lucky,” he acknowledged. “Even if things go tits up we get another club.

“But the club belongs to the fans and to the real people of the club who have been working here for years.

“All we can hope is that administrator will be nice on Monday and try to see the club through and not sack people left, right and centre. It’s so sad that people will be losing their jobs.”

After a nervous first half, Pompey were terrific against a stodgy Birmingham side.

Frederic Piquionne prodded home after 67 minutes and then scored a super solo effort three minutes later to take his tally to 10.

“When he plays his game, no-one can live with him because he’s quick, strong and tall and can win everything,” said Pompey team-mate Jamie O’Hara.

“In the second half he was fantastic.”

And Pompey enjoyed a rare visit from Lady Luck this season when Birmingham were denied a goal even though Liam Ridgewell’s header had clearly crossed the line.

O’Hara admitted: “I was standing on the line and it looked like it hit the net. At the end of the day who cares? We deserve some luck.

“There’s been so much rubbish that’s gone on this season when we’ve not had the rub of the green. Maybe this makes it even.

“We deserved it. Nothing has gone our way this season. Administration, bottom of the league – we’ve not had too much to cheer about but this is fantastic for everyone.”

And now on-loan O’Hara is setting his sights on silverware. “I think we’ve got a chance,” said the Spurs midfielder. “Some of the big boys are out of the way so why can’t we win the FA Cup?

“We’ve got a good enough team. On our day we are capable of beating any side.”

Hreidarsson added: “When we were in the semi-finals last time it was ours to lose. Now I would say that it’s ours to win.”