FOR Mark Duffy, relegation is a new scenario, and one he never wants to experience again.

As Scunthorpe United sign off from the Championship at home to Portsmouth today, Duffy will remember every moment of disappointment that led to the Iron's demotion, and use it against his League One opponents next season.

Not expected to be one of those shown the door during a summer of change under manager Alan Knill's stewardship, Duffy is keen to use the sting of relegation as a motivating force.

"It is hard, I don't think any footballer in the Football League will tell you that it is nice being relegated," said the former Morecambe winger, who only joined the club in January.

"But you have got to learn from it and hopefully it will make us stronger as a group and as individual players.

"I have never experienced relegation before, this is my first time.

"But you take the feeling of being relegated, which is horrible, and use that to your advantage next time in games so you can avoid that feeling happening again.

"Playing football in the Championship is like a dream come true to be honest.

"To play in front of crowds like we did last week (at Nottingham Forest) is amazing.

"But it has definitely been an eye-opener. You see the standard and what you need to do to reach that next level.

"But that is what we have got to strive for, to get back in this league at the end of next season."

For the time being, after the conclusion of this campaign, the 24-year-old will be classed as a League One footballer.

It is another first for the Scouser, having jumped two divisions when signed by former Iron boss Ian Baraclough, but United's number 31 believes he will be part of a side chasing promotion next term, rather than suffering a repeat of this season's woes.

Knill has already made moves in the transfer market to bolster his squad, with Manchester United youngster Nicky Ajose being lined up.

And with plenty of new faces expected at Glanford Park over the coming months, Duffy is hopeful his team can play at the right end of the division.

"Obviously it is not going to be better than the Championship," continued the Iron star, who made 21 appearances in the second tier.

"Over the last couple of weeks I thought we had done really well, but just given away some stupid goals.

"If we can pack that in, I am sure we can be up there, fighting to get back up."