Ruben Selles' Hull City survived in the Championship on goal difference
Hull City achieved Championship survival on the final day of the season with a draw at Portsmouth.
Ruben Selles' side stay up on goal difference, after finishing level on points with Luton Town who go down to League One after defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
Hull took the lead after an encouraging start, Matt Crooks firing home from close range to drag them out of the relegation zone.
But Portsmouth started the second half well and equalised from a powerful Christian Saydee strike that put the Tigers' second-tier status back in peril.
However, a point was enough with Luton losing 5-3 at The Hawthorns.
This season was Portsmouth's first campaign back in the second tier since 2012 and the point on the final day confirmed a 16th-place finish on 54 points.
Hull took the lead in the first half thanks to Matt Crooks
Hull threatened with a number of long throws into the box early on and one of them nearly resulted in a goal as the ball bounced around with players wrestling for control before it dropped behind past the post.
Their fast start was rewarded in the 18th minute as Gustavo Puerta whipped in a corner that was met by Crooks who smashed it in on the volley with his left foot from close range.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead as Joe Gelhardt forced his way into the box, making defender Conor Shaughnessy produce a fine block to keep it at 1-0.
Hull continued to threaten Portsmouth with their direct play, long throws, crosses and lofted passes into the area.
At times these were nervously dealt with by Portsmouth keeper Ben Killip, who was making just his second start since joining the Blues in February.
Portsmouth had an encouraging start to the second period as Freddie Potts had an effort blocked after some nice play between Connor Ogilvie and Josh Murphy down the left.
The home side then levelled with a beautiful flowing move as Matt Ritchie stepped over a pass, letting it run behind for Saydee who fired a powerful shot into the net from a tight angle.
But from there, Hull kept Pompey at bay and came close to regaining the lead, John Egan rising at the back post and sending a header towards goal that looked to be going in but was well saved by Killip.
After the final whistle sounded, the away fans erupted into cheers, a draw ultimately being enough for them to retain their Championship status.
'We will remember this day for years' - Selles
Hull City boss Ruben Selles speaking to BBC Radio Humberside:
"I'm very proud of the courage and the way the players managed the game on the pitch.
"Everyone in the club managed difficult moments and it has been a tough season for everyone and we deserved to stay in the division.
"We had a team that was rock bottom and to achieve the target this season with all the injuries and everything else is just massive.
"Now it's over and we crossed the line, we can rest a little bit and I told the players that we will remember this day for years to come."
'Time to take a break from the relentlessness' - Mousinho
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho speaking to BBC Radio Solent:
"It was important to stay unbeaten towards the back end of the season and five unbeaten is a good return. The performance today was awful for 20 minutes but I guess some of it can be expected.
"The progress this season is a really good sign of where we are as a club and a fantastic achievement - everyone can be very proud of what we have done.
"But football doesn't wait for anyone, we have to go again, but for now we can take a break from the relentlessness."
