Portsmouth have 'categorically denied' reports that under fire boss Graham Rix has resigned.

Rumours were circulating prior to Thursday's match at Millwall that, if Pompey lost, it would see the end of Rix's reign at the club.

The match ended in a 1-0 defeat and one rogue radio station reported that Rix had quit as manager, despite him having been reasonably upbeat after the match.

A spokesman for the club said: "Portsmouth Football Club would like to deny categorically reports that Graham Rix has handed in his resignation after the 1-0 defeat against Millwall.

"The claim, made by an unidentified radio source, surfaced only hours after the manager had declared: 'I don't get carried away when we win three games, so I am not going to get carried away having lost three'.

"Rix and the club are disappointed by the story and both parties are looking forward to the fixture against Stockport on December 22."

The former Chelsea coach has come under increased pressure as his Portsmouth side have struggled for results in recent weeks, having lost three games on the bounce.

If chairman Milan Madaric, not one known for his patience with managers, were to dismiss Rix, then he could hand the reins over, temporarily at least, to director of football Harry Redknapp, who has said he misses full-time management.

After the Millwall match, Rix remained focused and unflapped and insisted he would be treating things no differently to before. He said: "I don't feel under pressure.

"The chairman wants us to win games and we want to win games and, if you look at the match against Millwall, I thought we played well.

"Over-expectation happens at every football club, because people are ambitious and they want to do well.

"So of course there is a level of expectation, it's a pressure business we are in.

"I am disappointed every time we lose and every time we play badly. Whether you are a coach, manager, player or supporter, you feel it just as much.

"As manager I probably feel more responsible but I said to the guys after the match: "if you keep playing with that attitude and spirit, you will be OK."

Millwall manager Mark McGhee also jumped to Rix's defence, saying: "Rixy can go away and win two or three matches over Christmas and suddenly it will all change and I think that is what Portsmouth have got to believe."

Pompey now have a week off before next Saturday's crunch clash against Carlton Palmer's Stockport who are well adrift at the foot of Division 1, the first of five games in 14 days for the Fratton Park men.

If Rix were not to take three points from that game, then the pressure could become overwhelming.