Scunthorpe United 1-1 Cardiff City
Report from Glanford Park

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A deflected equaliser from Peter Whittingham in the closing stages meant United were denied all three points in their home game against high-flying Cardiff City.

Michael O'Connor's stunning free-kick had given Scunthorpe an early lead, and they were deservedly ahead but the visitors had the better of the attacking play in the second half and found an equaliser.

The Iron entered the game making one change for the side that beat Derby County 4-1 at Pride Park a week earlier.

Josh Wright missed out through illness so Sam Togwell came in for him. Joe Murphy, even though he's trained this week, wasn't selected as manager Nigel Adkins opted to reward Josh Lillis for his fine recent form.

Lillis lined up between the sticks, while the defence consisted of Andrew Wright, Cliff Byrne, David Mirfin and Marcus Williams, with Garry Thompson, Michael O'Connor, Togwell and Martyn Woolford forming the midfield. In attack were Paul Hayes and Gary Hooper.

Kenny Milne was named on the substitutes' bench, as well as Sam Slcoombe, Jake Picton, Matt Sparrow, Grant McCann, Jonathan Forte and Ben May.

Although there was a chilly breeze it wasn't too cold at Glanford Park as the game got underway.

Throughout the first half, Scunthorpe looked bright going forward and put some decent passages of attacking play together, and they looked confident on the back of last week's victory over Derby County.

Garry Thompson struck a couple of shots wide in the opening few minutes and the visiting side failed to threaten.

In the 11th minute, a Cardiff handball on the edge of the area handed Scunthorpe a free-kick in a good position, and O'Connor took full advantage by curling in his effort from 25 yards out to put the Iron in front. It was his second goal of the season.

Michael O'Connor's free-kick crashes into the back of the net

United continued to be on top when it came to attacking, but the visiting defence managed to hold firm as the home side looked for their second goal.

The visiting side had a decent chance on 30 minutes but Jay Bothroyd fired his powerful shot straight at Lillis, with the goalkeeper holding on.;

They continued to push forward and on 36 minutes Anthony Gerrard struck a weak header straight at Lillis as Cardiff.

Shortly, after O'Connor drove through midfield but his powerful effort drew a good stop from David Marshall.

Paul Hayes climbs high as he bids to win a header against Anthony Gerrard.

The first half ended quietly as Scunthorpe went in a goal ahead at the break.

Following half-time, the Iron remained on top with Hooper, Hayes and Thompson both threatening to cause problems. It was stlll a game of few real chances though.

Thompson linked up well with Andrew Wright in the 59th minute and Wright struck his shot just wide of goal.

Bothroyd could have scored in the 65th minute when he tried to score from around 10 yards but Lillis managed to block the ball out.

Soon after that, Gerrard directed another header from goal after substitute Ross McCormack's free-kick but it went over the crossbar.

Woolford replaced McCann in the 78th minute for the first United chance as the hosts tried to inject some freshness into their attacking play, as the visitors were on top at this stage.

Shortly after the substitute was involved in the action straight away as he teed up O'Connor whose strike was cleared off the goal-line by Mark Hudson to just prevent a second goal for the Northern Ireland international.

From the subsequent corner, taken by McCann, O'Connor then fizzed a low effort straight into the arms of Marshall.

City levelled on 81 minutes however when Whittingham's rasping shot was deflected by Mirfin over the head of Josh Lillis, who was caught unaware, and hit the back of the net. It was cruel on Scunthorpe, and Lillis in particular.

Sparrow replaced Togwell soon after and Lillis had to make a fantastic save from McCormack, pushing aside his effort with just four minutes left.

Forte replaced Hooper in the closing stages, while Mirfin tried to head home McCann's free-kick but couldn't get the right touch on the end of it.

There was some late controversy as Forte raced through and looked to be tumbled down by the goalkeeper Marshall but referee Scott Mathieson was having none if it and gave the hosts a goal-kick as the ball ran out of play.

There were three minutes of stoppage time but the Iron couldn't grab that vital goal.

United are next in action a week on Sunday when they host Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Attendance: 5,032 (479 away).

Sponsors' man of the match: Paul Hayes.

Iron Bar man of the match: Michael O'Connor.