LuaLua's volley from a short corner routine saw the 24-year-old Congo striker cancel out Wales forward Craig Bellamy's 34th minute goal.

Leeds United and Liverpool had to make do with a point apiece after an exciting 2-2 draw at Elland Road in Sunday's other game

On loan for three months, LuaLua admitted he had been stunned to find himself playing against Newcastle who, unlike other clubs in similar situations, had not insisted on a clause in the deal barring a player from appearing against his parent club. "I was a bit surprised I was allowed to play against Newcastle - it is not usual in these sort of deals nowadays," said LuaLua after scoring a goal that took Pompey out of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile former England manager Robson insisted after Sunday's match: "I'm not going to comment about him playing in this game except to say it was not my doing and he was the last player we wanted to see score.

"His shot went through the legs of Aaron Hughes and the legs of Andy O'Brien and there were two players standing offside in front of Shay Given - although nobody knows what offside is any more."

So it is no good talking about that. But it is a big disappointment because it was a big three points at stake and we've lost two of them to another late goal.

But Robson, whose side remained in fourth place, the last Champions League spot for English clubs, admitted Newcastle were drawing too many games for comfort.

"That's another late goal we've conceded after a late one against Blackburn and a late one against Birmingham. We are not helping ourselves and we have to ask ourselves whether Arsenal and Manchester United would let that happen."

All the goals came in an action-packed first half as Leeds old boy Harry Kewell opened the scoring for Liverpool before Eirik Bakke and Kewell's fellow Australia international Mark Viduka put United 2-1 up.

But three minutes before half-time Milan Baros made it 2-2.

The result left cash-strapped Leeds bottom of the table although now only a point behind Leicester.

Liverpool remained sixth, a point behind fifth-placed Charlton.

Before kick-off a minute's silence was observed in memory of Leeds great John Charles, who died last week, with United confirming that their new west stand would be named after the Wales legend.

Michael Owen went close for Liverpool early on before Reds skipper Steven Gerrard set up Kewell who saw his shot pushed away by Leeds keeper Paul Robinson.

But it was Leeds who should have gone 1-0 up in the 21st minute when Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland dropped a James Milner cross under pressure from Leeds striker Alan Smith.

However, Viduka somehow made a mess of the sidefoot tap-in and from the resulting counter-attack Liverpool's Australia forward showed how it should be done.

After Liverpool broke down field, Baros fed Kewell who curled a 20-yard left-foot shot past Robinson which temporarily stunned the Elland Road boo-boys who greeted his every touch with howls of derision.

But Leeds hit back within eight minutes, Didier Domi, Smith and Jermaine Pennant linking to set up Bakke who flicked the ball home past Kirkland.

Liverpool might have been level soon afterwards but Baros's header from Gerrard's cross bounced back off the bar.

Instead it was Leeds who went ahead when Robinson's goal-kick was accidentally headed on by Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia to Smith.

He controlled the ball on his chest and then volleyed a pass to Viduka who lobbed his seventh goal of the season over Kirkland in the 34th minute.

But a moment of individual brilliance saw Liverpool draw level when Czech forward Baros weaved his way past Seth Johnson and Didier Domi before shooting powerfully past Robinson.

After half-time Smith nearly put Leeds ahead again, the England striker's shot just angling beyond the far post with Kirkland beaten.

Smith went even closer in the 72nd minute when he hit the crossbar. Then, with two minutes left, impressive England keeper Robinson produced a superb save to tip over Dietmar Hamann's 25-yard drive.

From the resulting corner Leeds cleared Emile Heskey's header off the line.

Then, in the second minute of injury-time, Leeds saw Seth Johnson's corner headed goalwards by Domi only for it to be deflected clear barely a yard away from goal.