PORTSMOUTH are closing in on an unwanted piece of Hampshire football history.

Last night’s 2-1 reverse at fellow League 1 strugglers Scunthorpe was their eighth successive league defeat.

They are only one more loss away from equalling their own club record for consecutive losses, and just two away from establishing a new record.

Portsmouth’s current losing streak is already more than Saints, Aldershot or Bournemouth have ever suffered in league action.

Saints’ worst losing run is just five games, something they have achieved 10 times, the last in 1998.

Aldershot’s record six-match league losing run was established earlier this season, while Bournemouth’s worst losing run is seven games.

Pompey’s next two games are also away – a south coast derby at Bournemouth this Saturday and the gruelling long trip to another relegation-threatened club, Hartlepool, next Tuesday.

Two more losses and a new club record will be set.

Pompey, aiming to avoid a third relegation in four seasons, still have some way to go to match Darwen’s all-time Football League record for successive defeats.

The Lancashire club lost 18 games in a row back in 1898/99.