Crystal Palace 0-4 Scunthorpe United
Report from Selhurst Park

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An excellent team performance saw the Iron record their first away league win of the season in style at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Jonathan Forte capitalised on a defensive mistake to put United ahead early on.

Then, after withstanding the Palace backlash, they added three goals early in the second half - stylishly put away by Paul Hayes, Sam Togwell and Michael O'Connor.

There was even time for Joe Murphy to save a Freddie Sears penalty in the closing stages on what was a perfect afternoon for Nigel Adkins' side.

United handed Josh Wright and Forte their first league starts of the season in Saturday's away clash at Crystal Palace.

Wright replaced Matt Sparrow in the team, while Forte came in for leading scorer Gary Hooper.

Meanwhile, Rob Jones came back into the side in place of captain Cliff Byrne, and took the skipper's armband too.

Murphy began the match in goal, with Jordan Spence, Jones, David Mirfin and Marcus Williams forming the defence.

The midfield consisted of O'Connor, Wright and Togwell, while Martyn Woolford and Forte provided support for Hayes up front.

The substitutes were Cliff Byrne, Sparrow, Grant McCann, Hooper, Garry Thompson, Sam Slocombe and Niall Canavan.

Selhurst Park was the venue at which United's relegation from the Championship two seasons ago was confirmed.
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The early pressing was done by Palace but the visiting backline were holding firm during the early stages, restricting them.

The Iron took the lead on five minutes as Forte latched on to Murphy's long ball forward after Matt Lawrence slipped and rounded the advancing JUlian Speroni before slotting home. It was a gift of a goal, but Forte's persistance paid off.

15 minutes in, and the hosts were struggling to test Iron goalkeeper Murphy.

Indeed, it was Scunthorpe who could have notched the next goal, as Forte got on the end of a knockdown from a corner but couldn't direct his hooked effort at goal.
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It was Wright who was next to test Julian Speroni, with a curled free-kick that was well handled by the Palace stopper.

Murphy was drawn into his first save of the game in the 21st minute when a powerful effort from Danns down the right required stopping.

At this point the hosts were coming more into the match, and testing the Iron custodian with more crosses and balls into the box.

Togwell could have made it two when he burst through and also rounded the onrushing Speroni, but his goal-bound shot was cleared.

So far, it was shaping up to be United's best away display in ages. They were chasing down every loose ball and forcing the Eagles into mistakes.

The hosts had their best chance of the game so far in the 42nd minute, when Shaun Derry drilled wide.

They continued to press up to half-time but couldn't find an equalising goal.

The home team had a lot of possession at the start of the second period, but United were continuing to restrict them through hard work.

58 minutes in and United made it two as Hayes latched on to a header from Forte to crash home his side's second from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

Palace made a couple of changes shortly after, but Togwell put the game beyond any doubt on 66 minutes when he powered home a loose ball well beyond Speroni from 25 yards. It was surely the greatest goal of his career, and a superb way to mark returning to the club where he started as a trainee.

Two minutes later, O'Connor made it four as he advanced down the right on the penalty area and fired across Speroni and into the bottom corner.

In the 74th minute United made their first substitution as Woolford was replaced by Thompson.

Palace substitute Scannell had a chance when he drilled wide of goal after turning Williams on the right flank.

Palace were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute when Derry's effort struck the elbow of Togwell.

Freddie Sears stepped up to take the penalty but Murphy superbly dived down to his right to catch his effort.

There was another substitution for Scunthorpe as Sparrow came on for O'Connor, then Hooper replaced Forte.

The Iron celebrated a fine away win as referee Grant Hegley blew his full-time whistle. They are in action again on Tuesday night when they host Preston North End.

Attendance: 12,912 (426 away).