Pompey warmed up for Saturday's crunch derby at St Mary's by doing what Saints couldn't - beat tricky Championship opposition away.

Last night's 2-0 victory at Ninian Park was just the tonic Harry Redknapp's injury-ravaged squad needed following the defeat to Aston Villa.

With a favourable draw, Pompey look to have a good shout at returning to Wales at the end of February.

Redknapp, though, knows better than to take anything for granted just yet.

"We have had a good start, we are sitting 10th in the league, which is great for us, and we would love to go all the way in this competition, but who knows?" reflected the Portsmouth manager.

"You see that advert on the television where they are all buying their suits, then they get drawn against Arsenal and are told to put them all back!

"It is important for clubs like us. We go into the start of the season with a chance in two competitions - the FA Cup and the Carling Cup. We are not going to win the League, but we are going to have a go at the cups."

Since beating Manchester United in the Premiership last month, Redknapp has seen injuries to record signing Diomansy Kamara, skipper Nigel Quashie and defender Linvoy Primus deplete his squad.

However, with the likes of Matthew Taylor and Aliou Cisse coming into the starting XI last night, which also included 23-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and youngsters Anthony Pulis and Lewis Buxton on the bench, Pompey went through comfortably in the end with a second-half double from Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

"We came here and gave Cardiff all the respect they deserve. It was always going to be difficult," said Redknapp.

"You have only got to look at Southampton's result at Watford to see that these are difficult games."

Yakubu bundled the visitors ahead just moments after the start of the second half before converting a 54th-minute penalty when Taylor was adjudged to have been fouled by Graham Kavanagh.