Wes Thomas marked his loan move along the south coast from Bournemouth by scoring a late winner for Pompey.
Thomas, borrowed by Pompey for a month, swept home a half-cleared corner after 88 minutes as Scunthorpe failed to hold on to their early lead.
Clarke scored from close range for his fifth goal in as many matches since arriving from Charlton on loan in the sixth minute.
But Portsmouth were level after 12 minutes when defender Gabor Gyepes made the most of a mistake by goalkeeper Sam Slocombe.
Slocombe limped off after 23 minutes to be replaced by James Severn, who had been on nine minutes when he saved a penalty.
Lively Thomas was brought down by Niall Canavan but Severn blocked Brian Howard's spot kick.
Izale McLeod hit the bar in the first half and again in injury time as Portsmouth held on to Thomas's goal to record their first home league win.
Source: DSG