The Iron's reserve team lost 2-0 at home to Hartlepool United in condemn them to their second successive defeat.
Right-back Eddie Nolan completed 90 minutes on his return to competitive football after being out since the end of September due to a hamstring injury.
United started the game the brighter of the two sides and dominated the early exchanges.
Etienne Esajas squandered a number of chances for the hosts as he tried some speculative shots that didn't come off.
17-year-old Hakeeb Adelakun, who came on as a second half substitute in the FA Cup loss to Grimsby on Tuesday night, also came close to giving the Iron the lead as his low cross come shot was parried by Andy Rafferty in the Pools goal.
The visitors took the lead on 19 minutes, and against the run of play.
Anthony Sweeney, who has been at Hartlepool for the past 12 years, cut the Iron's defence open before firing low and hard past James Severn.
The Iron goalkeeper then pulled off a number of good saves from the Hartlepool strikers to ensure they only trailed 1-0 at the break.
United came close to going in at the break on level terms when academy prospect Adelakun weaved in and out of four Hartlepool defenders before firing straight at Rafferty.
United withdrew Jamie Wootton at the break, who was allowed to play despite being loaned out to Gainsborough Trinity, and replaced him with academy player Curtis Bateson.
However, Pools seized the initiative early on in the second half when they doubled their lead with just two minutes gone.
Lewis Hawkins saw his shot well saved by Severn, however, Sweeney was on hand to head home his second of the night from close range.
Defender Nolan, who was using the game to boost his fitness and prove himself for Portsmouth, almost capped his return to football with a goal.
He found himself in unfamiliar territory of the opposition box before cutting in onto his left foot.
He sent a curling drive towards Rafferty's top right corner only to be dinged by the woodwork.
United's last notable move came late in the game when Kyle Wootton combined with Bateson on the edge of the Pools box.
However, Bateson was unable to get his shot away after he was stopped by the alert Rafferty - who made sure he kept a clean sheet.