Andy Dawson and Tony Daws were presiding over first-team affairs, with Shaun Brisley coming into the centre of defence in place of Miguel Llera and Jennison Myrie-Williams replacing Terry Hawkridge.
United entered the clash making two changes from the side that lost to Notts County.
A first-half goal from Paddy Madden was added to by strikes from Neal Bishop and Gary McSheffrey as Scunthorpe saw off the Gills, who had skipper Doug Loft sent off midway through the first half.
Scunthorpe emerged from a turbulent week with a 3-0 away win at Gillingham. On five minutes,
Scunthorpe, wearing their green third kit with white shorts, endured a very early scare, as they were caught slightly unaware at the back, with Cody McDonald exchanging a quick one-two before hitting into the side of the net.
McDonald slipped the ball into the path of Dack, having drawn in centre-half Brisley, but Olejnik saved with a degree of comfort. Up the other end, United tried to put their stamp on the game.
Fallon was next to test Steve Bywater, with a drive from the edge of the area on 18 minutes that the former Derby goalkeeper had to be equal to.
On 13 minutes, United though they had gone ahead. Madden played the ball down the left to Myrie-Williams and then got on the end of the wideman's left-wing cross to head into the back of the net at the far post from six yards. The goal was ruled out for offside though.
Six minutes, and six yards out, Rory Fallon volleyed over. Madden got the ball and ventured out to a crossing position on the wing, before sending in for Fallon to connect with - but he sent the ball over. Soon after,
Moments later, a glancing header from Dack drew an instinctive stop from Bobby Olejnik, who superbly tipped wide for a corner - which Scunthorpe dealt with.
The hosts came close again four minutes later, as Jermaine McGlashan sprinted towards the corner with the intention of getting in a cross. Marcus Williams pursued, and got a toe in on the ball, leading to a corner instead. It was popped into the box by Bradley Dack, but United defended it well, and the ball is cleared. United were handed a boost on 33 minutes when
on 24 minutes, McGlashan rifled a shot just wide after some good exchange play by the home side in the final-third. The Iron
Doug Loft, the Gillingham skipper, went in two-footed and studs showing on full back Luke O'Neill, who looked in some discomfort, but got back up to play on. The start of the second half almost saw an Iron goal, as
With Gillingham boss Peter Taylor sent to the stands for protesting a decision, United held onto the lead and went in ahead at half-time.
capitalised on their one-man advantage in the 41st minute. Sean McAllister got the ball in the middle of the park, and gave it to McSheffrey. Very simply, he spotted Madden, who then took full advantage of the space he has found - drawing the 'keeper, rounding Bywater to his right, and finishing coolly for his sixth goal of the season. Afterwards, the hosts tried to press their way back into the game.
McSheffrey's corner was played short to Luke O'Neill, whose cross nearly went in. A scramble was then cleared away. United started to enjoy a decent spell of possession, playing some fine football at times.
Once again, the ball dropped nicely for McDonald but the home number 10 scuffed his volley.
There was a half-chance when the final ball to Fallon just evaded the tall striker as he stretched to meet it. On 70 minutes,
Myrie-Williams was next to come close on 63 minutes as a ball down the left flank found the winger, who checked inside and outside before drilling a shot towards goal which was deflected wide for a corner.
an almost perfect cross from the left nearly lead to Madden tapping home - while McSheffrey came close moments later, seeing his shot blocked away.
It was his second goal for the club and
From the resulting corner, which was played short to O'Neill, skipper Bishop headed home unmarked from point blank range. United could have added a third five minutes later.
In the 75th minute, the visitors made their first substitution as Myrie-Williams was replaced by Hakeeb Adelakun.
capped an excellent spell for the Iron, who had controlled the ball, passed it well, created chances and had a second goal to go with it. On 88 minutes,
In the closing stages, Deon Burton came on for Fallon for his first appearance since August 19 after a knee injury lay-off, receiving a warm reception from the whole stadium following a successful spell at Priestfield before his move to Glanford Park.
From the subsequent set-piece. Brisley tried to test Bywater but his effort from the edge of the area went over the crossbar.
He then came close again in the 85th minute, receiving the ball from McSheffrey before pulling the trigger and seeing it deflected wide for a corner.
A great ball from Adelakun put Madden clean through, but a great save from Bywater kept the score at 2-0. TEAM LINE-UPS
The Iron are next in action on Saturday when Colchester United visit Glanford Park.
Indeed, a final sheen was added to the scoreline in the third minute of those four, when McSheffrey burst through and rounded Bywater before driving into the back of the net.
There were four minutes of added time, and Burton had s shot deflected wide but Adelakun drilled one just past the post as United saw the game out to claim their third league win of the season and first league clean sheet.
Linganzi produced a moment of threat for Gillingham, as he picked up the ball, wandered a little bit and then forced Olejnik into a diving save, but had to re-adjust as the ball dipped, in order to stop the chance, Bywater, Martin, Egan, Loft, McDonald, McGlashan, Morris, PritchardGillingham:
7,042 (162 away). Attendance:
Severn, Sparrow, Burton, Hawkridge, Kee, Llera. Substitutes not used:
Neill, Boyce, Brisley, Williams, Myrie-Williams (Adelakun, 76), McAllister, Bishop, McSheffrey, Madden, Fallon. Olejnik, O'Scunthorpe United:
Nelson, Legge, Hessenthaler, Dickenson, Hoyte.Substitutes not used:
(Linganzi, 45), Norris (German, 74), Davies, Dack.