The Iron's reserve team lost 5-2 at Hartlepool United on Wednesday night.
With the game so close to Saturday, Andy Dawson could only name a youthful side with three substitutes after a number of the youth players he had been hoping to call upon withdrew through illness.
The home side, who play their reserve team fixtures at Billingham Town's ground, took an early lead when Josh Deacey's low curling drive beat the diving James Severn.
He found space on the edge of the area as United attempted to clear a corner but he made the most of his opportunity to give Pool the early advantage.
United struck back shortly afterwards on the counter attack after great work from striker Jamie Wootton.
He drew his defender out wide before he played a perfectly weighted through ball to Connor Purdue who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Once he got to within shooting range Purdue side-footed the ball past the helpless Pools goalkeeper.
The remainder of the first half was quiet with few chances between the two sides, however the home side did have to replace Greg Rutherford who was on the wrong end of two United tackles in quick succession.
After the restart, which United started the stronger, it looked like the visitors would take the lead for the first time in the match.
However, they were unable to gain a foothold in the game and the home side weathered the storm.
With their first attack of the second half Hartlepool restored their lead and it came courtesy of right-back Josh Nearney.
He prodded the ball home from a yard out after Sam Collins' knock down.
The Iron didn't stop battling there as the home side's lead lasted for a matter of minutes.
Purdue came close to scoring his second of the match but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
The resulting set piece wasn't cleared by the home defence and that left Jacob Hood the opportunity to volley home from 12 yards out.
Just as Dawson's side had got back on level terms the home side stepped it up a gear.
They scored three goals in the space of seven minutes to give themselves an unassailable lead - and something that the Iron just didn't have an answer for.
Connor Smith capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the young United defence before he thrashed the ball into the roof of the net before Ben Wignall nutmegged Severn from close range to make it 4-2.
Pools rounded off their victory when substitute Rhys Harbottle, who replaces Rutherford in the first half, tapped home from close range.
Jamie Wootton almost pulled another goal back for the Iron deep into stoppage time with a spectacular 25-yard effort, which was destined for the top corner, however Hartlepool goalkeeper Mark Foden clawed the ball out of the air and turned it around the post.
United team: Severn, Stothard, Grayson, Howe, Boyce, Sutton, Purdue, Bowskin, Hood, J. Wootton, K. Wootton.
Subs: Weaver, Mosanya (Bowskin, 90), Mawson (Purdue, 74).