Scunthorpe reserves suffered a 4-2 defeat to Gateshead at the International Stadium, with Kyle Wootton and Curtis Bateson scoring the goals for the Iron.
A youthful United side twice recovered from going a goal down to level the score but couldn’t find another response once the third Gateshead goal went in after 66 minutes.Andy Dawson’s team had a new addition partnering Kyle Wootton up front, as Victor Zapata-Caicedo made his first appearance in a Scunthorpe shirt, as a trialist.
Gateshead were the earliest to settle into the game, in an open first half which saw lots of chances for both teams.
The first effort on goal came from Scunthorpe’s left back Reece Mosanya after a short corner routine between Bateson and Mosanya resulted in a well struck effort from the full back that wasn’t far away from troubling Gateshead goalkeeper Jack Wilson.
The main threat to the Iron defence was coming through ex-Scunthorpe player Michael Rankine and he created a huge opening for Rob Ramshaw, who put the ball wide of Iron goalkeeper Pat Weaver’s right hand post.
Another quickly worked Iron set piece almost brought the first goal of the game when Kyle Wootton released Bateson with a quick free kick but Bateson’s curling effort narrowly missed the outside of the post.
Rankine then weaved through the middle of midfield and sent a through ball for Ryan Wilson but Weaver made a terrific stop from the Gateshead midfielder from the one on one situation.
The closest Dawson’s side came to a first half goal came from another well worked set piece, when Levi Sutton’s long range driven shot cannoned off the post following a short corner.
Gateshead took the lead just before the break from the penalty spot, after Rankine was brought down by Weaver following another impressive run.
Despite Weaver guessing the right way, he couldn’t prevent Jon Shaw converting the spot kick and sending his side 1-0 up at half time.
A much brighter second half started with a swift equaliser when Wootton was rewarded for his work rate after pressuring goalkeeper Wilson, dispossessing him and passing into the unguarded net.
It took a special Gateshead goal to reclaim the lead five minutes later. Neat midfield passing between Gateshead’s central midfielders ended with a terrific ball over the top to Lewis Guy who volleyed home whilst travelling at full speed.
The next shot of the game saw the second Iron equaliser and it was a stunning strike from Bateson, as he strode forward and side footed the ball with his left foot from twenty five yards out and watched the ball fly past a helpless Wilson in the Gateshead net.
The away side were clearly buoyed by the goal and started passing the ball around confidently with Sutton and Bateson controlling the pace from midfield.
However, the Iron momentum was stopped after 66 minutes when Ramshaw tapped in from close range after Weaver parried Shaw’s effort into the six yard box. A couple of minutes of confusion followed as the linesman originally put his flag up to rule the goal out for offside but after consulting with referee Barry Gordon, the officials decided to award the goal which put the home side back in front.
Goalscorer Wootton was then replaced by Jack Mawson as United searched for a third equaliser.
However, it was the home side that looked the most dangerous and nearly doubled their advantage when Shaw hit the post from a long distance effort.
A fourth Gateshead goal came with time nearly up when Ryan Wilson picked the ball up with his back to goal, span brilliantly and fired a shot onto the underside of the crossbar which bounced over the line and into the net.
Scunthorpe should have had a positive ending to the game when Sutton was pushed over in the six yard box, following a forceful run from the youngster. However, referee Gordon waved the claims away and soon blew his whistle to signal full time in this reserve match.
In a physical match at the International Stadium there were plenty of positives for Andy Dawson’s side, not least the goals for Wootton and Bateson, but the trip ended in defeat as Gateshead came out on top with a 4-2 victory.
Scunthorpe United: Weaver, Oliver-Stothard, Mosanya, Sutton, Baker, Cleminshaw, Burdett, Bateson, Zapata-Caicedo, Wootton (Mawson), Dyche.
Substitutes: Shilling, Ledger, Purdue, Stockill.