The Iron's youth team were knocked out of the Youth Alliance Cup first round by Bradford City on Saturday morning, despite a spirited performance.
It only came after a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat though as they more than held their own against the league leaders in an entertaining 3-3 draw.The Bantams came into the game having won six games in a row, while Scunthorpe were missing highly-rated wingers Hakeeb Adelakun (first team duty) and Noel Burdett (injury).
The away side had the first chance, with their forward tipping one over before Curtis Bateson drew a quick close range stop from the Bradford goalkeeper on eight minutes.
Just two minutes later though, Bradford went ahead - slotting in from close range after a left-wing run and subsequent cross.
They had two more chances as they threatened to build a head of steam, but good defending and a strong work ethic from Scunthorpe curtailed that threat and they started to get more into it.
Kyle Wootton then glanced a header wide as United tried to get more into the match as an attacking force.
A superb individual run by young left winger Reece Mossawa saw him eventually lose possession, before he won it back and struck a thunderous effort which was well saved.
Then, afterwards, a great throughball from the left found Bateson, who darted forward but was stopped by a last ditch tackle before he could pull a shot away.
On 24 minutes, Smythe charged forward with a great run from the left and crossed for Wootton, who wrongfooted his man before the Bantams goalkeeper saved from close range.
Then, shortly after, Billy Beresford's shot was blocked as Scunthorpe started to get on top of their opponents.
Wootton saw a header deflected wide for a corner before Bradford made it two very much against the run of play.
On 36 minutes, a right-wing cross was met by a Bantams attacker and he clipped past Weaver from 12 yards.
The away team went on to have two more chances as the first half drew to a close.
However, at the start of the second, Scunthorpe were quick out of the blocks and pulled one back through Bateson two minutes in. He raced through and side-footed a fine finish from 12 yards.
Then Weaver was forced into a good save before the Bantams restored their advantage from the penalty spot.
In the 52nd minute, one of their frontmen tumbled down under a challenge from Weaver and they made no mistake firing home the spot-kick.
Just five minutes later, Scunthorpe pulled another back though as great determination from Wootton and Bateson leading the line saw the former win possession and strike with a calm finish.
Then, on 64 minutes, the comeback was completed from the penalty spot - as Wootton and Bateson worked together well again, and Bateson was brought down.
He stepped up to superbly slot home the subsequent spot-kick.
Scunthorpe began to control the match and had another chance with Wootton prodding over the crossbar on the stretch following a throughball.
As a penalty shoot-out loomed, Weaver pulled off a couple of great saves to shut out the Bantams.
The scores finished level and Bradford won 5-3 on penalties to secure their passage to the next round.