NOT quite yet unbeatable, Scunthorpe United are at least becoming harder to beat, according to defender David Mirfin.

But he knows the Iron will have to go one step further if they are to avoid the Championship trapdoor this season.

Several times in recent weeks, manager Ian Baraclough and his team have been left bemoaning their luck after an impressive performance yielded little return.

It is a scenario they are desperate to avoid in today's match with Swansea City at Glanford Park.

"We are becoming harder to beat, albeit we've not been getting the results we want," said Mirfin.

"The biggest sign is the three home games we played (two wins and a draw), compared to January, when things were maybe a bit flat.

"We want teams to play really well to try to beat us and that's got to be the case from now until the end of the season.

"But equally, we've also got to look at our own form and make sure we play well to beat teams.

"You are probably looking at a bad sign when you are worrying more about the opposition.

"Obviously you give them respect and work on how they play. But it's about how you play and how you perform.

"A big thing is not scoring when we are on top.

"If we manage to score first, I think we've got the experience and confidence a bit more now, especially at home, to stick to it."

Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth was Mirfin's first taste of action since early January after being sidelined with a thigh injury.

He accepts in his absence, competition for places at centre-back has stepped up a notch with the arrival of Paul Reid and Michael Nelson in January.

It means poor performances can cost places. But for a team which has shipped goals, the former Huddersfield defender insists that can only be positive.

"It's been very frustrating all this season, so it was really good to get back out on the pitch," Mirfin said of his Pompey return.

"But with players coming back from injury, it's going to be a position where there is a lot of competition for places.

"There is going to be a time where we have six fully-fit centre-halves all fighting for two places.

"Especially because of where we are in the league, it's good to have competition in that area.

"Touching on the new players we've got, it can make the dressing room a bit louder and gets the players going. It's good to hear a loud dressing room before and during a game.

"It's been a bit quiet while Cliffy (Byrne) is not playing!

"We've got a good group together now. It's the right group of players to get us out of the bottom three.

"It's probably the biggest squad of first-team players we've had while I've been here, and it's the right time to have it."