Taking the positives from the 1-1 draw with Morecambe, manager Russ Wilcox was pleased his side created chances, but disappointed the second goal didn’t come.
Saves from goalkeeper Barry Roche, plus two goal line clearances denied the Iron their second goal, with Scunthorpe eventually forced to put the champagne on ice until Monday at the earliest as Jack Sampson headed home for a share of the spoils deep into stoppage time.“We just needed that second goal,” Wilcox told The Iron Player.
“We will take any goal we can get and even Sam’s goal might have been cleared off the line had he got a clean connection. It’s come up off the ground and looped over the defender.
“We looked a threat all afternoon, especially from set plays. Mirfin’s had a chance which was tipped over, while Syers also had a chance cleared off the line in the first half. Hayes had a good volley well saved by Roche, but it wasn’t to be.”
He added: “Whenever there’s just one goal in it, there’ll always be one more chance for the opposition. We’ve been there so many times and again that proved to be the case.”
Results again went for the Iron, with Rochdale losing 3-0 for the second week in succession, meaning Scunthorpe’s lead at the top was extended to two points. Chesterfield also slipped up, also collecting a point.
“It just shows you what the division is about,” said Wilcox.
“Last week, you wouldn’t have said they’d lose 3-0 at Mansfield. Southend, who I think are a good outfit, have turned them over 3-0 on Rochdale’s patch, so although there’s a little bit of negativity around our place at the moment – and rightly so – I certainly wouldn’t like to be in Rochdale’s shoes.
“It’s about holding your nerve and staying calm and we’ve spoken about that. For a lot of the players, it’s their first season to be up there in a promotion or title push. It’s difficult for them sometimes. We can talk to them, which we do, but it’s about performing in the arena and in the last 20 minutes we looked a bit edgy and didn’t get a hold of the ball as much as we should have.”
He added: “If we do that, we frustrate the opposition and it frustrates the crowd. Giving the ball back to them gives them another opportunity to attack your goal.”