Danny Murphy's 76th-minute header proved enough to secure Fulham's Premier League status as they beat Portsmouth, despite a nervy display.
Fulham were heading for relegation, with rivals Reading and Birmingham winning, until Murphy's strike.
The Cottagers created little else in the match but when Murphy rose to power in Jimmy Bullard's free-kick, their travelling fans celebrated wildly.
Fulham had never before won three Premier League away matches in a row.
And for long spells it had seemed to be an impossible mission.
Fulham started the day knowing that their future was in their own hands - a win would see them escape relegation regardless of what Reading and Birmingham did in their matches, barring Reading scoring an improbable number of goals against Derby.
It should have seen them play with drive, determination and desire but instead they seemed paralysed by nerves.
They were faced by Portsmouth players who had two incentives - to arrest a run of three consecutive defeats and to stake their claim for a starting place in the FA Cup final line-up.
But the hosts appeared unwilling to break a sweat, which should have played into Fulham's hands, yet they could find no rhythm or penetration.
Bullard attempted to spray the ball around, but with little movement from his team-mates it was not proving easy.
In the Portsmouth midfield Pedro Mendes - making his return to the starting line-up - was struggling to assert himself, despite being informed he was playing for a Wembley spot.
BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham
Fulham stays alive
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