We continue looking back at the 2015/16 season, moving into the fifth month of the league campain...
The Iron entered December knowing that a third round tie in the FA Cup was in the offing should they get past League Two side Leyton Orient, while a Boxing Day trip to the Keepmoat Stadium to face Doncaster Rovers would the the most hotly anticipated fixture of the calendar year.LEYTON ORIENT 0-0 IRON
For a full report for this match, click here.
A return leg to Glanford Park was required to separate the two sides after a windy affair at the Matchroom Stadium in which the chances were few and far between.
Following the conclusion to the tie, the sides were drawn to face Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge, adding an edge to the replay.
PORT VALE (Leitch-Smith, 45+2) 1-1 IRON (King, 36)
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Jack King's first goal for the club was cancelled out in first half stoppage time to earn the Valiants a share of the spoils at Vale Park.
King connected to Luke Williams' corner to flick the Iron into the lead in the 36th minute before Ajay Leitch-Smith found space just before the interval to drill home the equaliser.
Williams, King and Kyle Wootton all went close to winning the game in the second half, but a-point-a-piece is how it'd stay.
IRON (M'Voto, (og), 55, King, 60, Adelakun, 90+4) 3-0 LEYTON ORIENT
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The Iron progressed to round three to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after a 3-0 success, despite the result on paper looking more clear cut than it perhaps was.
After a cagey first half, the Iron dealt the first blow and it was arguably Luke Williams who was the man of the match, playing a starring role in all three goals. It was him who threaded the decisive pass to Neal Bishop in the 55th minute. His first time shot took a wicked deflection off Jean-Yves M'Voto and flew into the net, erupting Glanford Park and getting the United supporters daring to dream about a trip to the bridge for the first time in eleven years.
The tie was effectively sealed five minutes later when, following a Williams corner, Jack King prodded home after a temporary goalmouth scramble before Adelakun fired in a third in the final minute of stoppage time after another square ball from the former Middlesbrough player.
IRON 0-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED (Sharp, 50)
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In what would incidentally be Scunthorpe's final home defeat of the campaign, it was a former face who was once again a thorn in the Iron's side as they suffered a narrow defeat.
Billy Sharp got the only goal of the game five minutes after half time, instinctively firing home a Jay McEveley corner to hand the Blades all three points.
DONCASTER ROVERS 0-1 IRON (Madden, 20)
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After not recording a victory against Doncaster since 2006/07, the Iron were as eager as ever to put the record straight at the Keepmoat Stadium.
It would turn out to be Scunthorpe's first victory at the stadium since it opened, with Madden breaking the offside trap from a Luke Williams cross to side-foot home from a couple of yards out.
VICTORY AT THE KEEPMOAT: Paddy Madden wheels away in celebration after giving Scunthorpe a 20th minute lead.
GOAL OF THE MONTH...
IRON (Mirfin, 33) 1-1 ROCHDALE (Henderson, 22)
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Scunthorpe ended 2015 with a battling 1-1 draw against Rochdale at Glanford Park.
Ian Henderson diverted home a Peter Vincenti shot with the Iron players incensed that the goalscorer was offside, but it took just eleven minutes for parity to be restored. Scott Laird played a brilliant ball over the top for Niall Canavan who headed to centre-half partner David Mirfin, with the former Huddersfield defender's header finding the corner of the net.
IN THE NEWS...
In Memoriam: John Godfrey CBE - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/in-memoriam-john-godfrey-cbe-2830476.aspx
McSheffrey undergoes surgery - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/mcsheffrey-undergoes-surgery-2842257.aspx
Iron support Community Champion Award - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/iron-support-community-champion-awards-2842901.aspx
Iron squad make hospital visit - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/squad-make-christmas-hospital-visit-2851848.aspx
Junior Iron Christmas Party - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/junior-iron-enjoy-christmas-party-2851942.aspx
Lindsey Lodge "Thank you Iron fans" - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/lindsey-lodge-thank-you-iron-fans-2865723.aspx