The Iron's youth team came from behind once but then surrendered the lead twice as they eventually settled for a 3-3 draw against Hartlepool on Friday afternoon.
Noel Burdett and Jack Mawson put United into a 2-1 lead at the interval before the hosts fought back. Curtis Bateson got the third but Hartlepool found the equaliser near the end of the game.In truth, it was a close encounter in which either side could have won the game, in what was a thoroughly end-to-end affair.
It was the hosts who went ahead, but the Iron's youngsters restored parity on the half hour mark, Noel Burdett the beneficiary of a good move; taking his goal well.
United kicked on from that goal and took the lead on the stroke of half time. The visitors won a corner - a kick that was duly dispatched by Jack Mawson as Scunthorpe went into the break in the ascendancy.
Hartlepool fought back though and it was all-square not long after the interval, but the Iron soon found themselves in the lead for the second time. Curtis Bateson stole the ball from a defender, with the Pool youngster made to pay for his cardinal sin.
The Scunthorpe attacker, who has also performed to a high level in the reserve team this year, made no mistake and put Scunthorpe 3-2 up.
The goals didn't finish there though - and while the Iron could have buried their opponents, it was the home side that found the equaliser 15 minutes from time.
It was a six goal thriller in which youth team coach Paul Harsley said: "The goals we conceded today were sloppy and could have been avoided, but we had enough chances to win the game."
He added: "It was a disappointing end to a great end-to-end game."
Iron team: Hawley, Cowling, Bowskin, Smythe, Hare, Sutton, Mawson, Purdue (Hood 57), Wootton, Bateson, Burdett.
Substitutes not used: Weaver, Mosanya.