Scunthorpe United 1-1 Stevenage
Report from Glanford Park
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A late equaliser from Darius Charles thwarted the Iron from recording a first home win since October on as they drew 1-1 with Stevenage at Glanford Park on Saturday.
Garry Thompson put United ahead just after half-time when the striker raced on to a threw ball from Mark Duffy to smash home.
However, six minutes from time, the Boro broke Scunthorpe hearts with a scrappy finish inside the six yard box to nick a point for the high flying visitors.
The main team news for the Iron was Josh Walker making his home debut for the Iron in midfield and Damien Mozika returning from a three month ankle injury lay-off to feature on the bench.
In goal, Sam Slocombe lined up in between the sticks while Andrew Wright, Paul Reid, Niall Canavan and Eddie Nolan formed the defence.
In midfield Duffy was brought in on the right alongside Michael O'Connor, Sam Togwell, Josh Walker and Andy Barcham. Thompson lined up as the solitary striker for the Iron.
On the bench, Jake Turner appeared in the Iron squad for the first time in his career alongside Damien Mozika, Bobby Grant, Aron Wint and Ashley Palmer.
Scunthorpe started the game on the front foot and could have been 1-0 up within the first 90 seconds. Some good play from Duffy to gain some space saw the winger thread a ball through to Thompson out wide on the right. Despite getting a yard in front of the defender, Thompson could not get his shot off in time and saw his effort blocked by the defender for a corner.
Walker was next to threaten the Stevenage goal after 15 minutes. Some good dribbling from Thompson down the right saw the ball end up at the feet of Barcham just inside the box. The former Gillingham man found himself with his back to goal and laid the ball off to Walker just on the edge who, first time, tried to chip the keeper who was just off his line. The goalkeeper though managed to backpedal just in time to tip over for a corner.
Thompson was looking particularly lively for the hosts, with the forward getting a lot of joy playing on the shoulder of the defence.
Barcham had the next best chance for the Iron with 11 minutes of the half remaining. A good counter attack from Scunthorpe eventually saw the ball fall to Barcham on the edge. The winger though, with hardly any time or space, still managed to get a left footed shot away, only to drift just wide with the help of a deflection.
Luke Freeman missed what was the best chance of the game so far for Stevenage in the 37th minute. A cross from Wilson was missed by both Beardsley and Wright in the box and fell to Freeman unmarked inside the box. The former Arsenal youngster though, with plenty of time, could only manage to strike his effort over the bar without even troubling Slocombe.
Mark Roberts should have given the Iron the lead just before the break. A corner was headed on to the Stevenage player/manager at the back post unmarked but could only swing a left footed effort wide of the mark.
Michael Bostwick had the first effort of the second half with a drilled low effort but his shot was easily saved by Slocombe.
However it only took two minutes for the Iron to take the lead. A fantastic ball over the top from Duffy bamboozled the Stevenage defence leaving Thompson with just the keeper to beat. The striker took his time and showed great composure to smash the ball through the keeper and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.
Stevenage made their first change in reaction to the goal with Don Cowan replacing Phil Edwards up front.
Walker almost doubled the lead approaching the 55th minute. With everyone expecting O'Connor to whip a free kick into the box the Northern Irishman laid the ball to Walker on the edge of the area. The loanee like the first half saw his long effort tipped over by the keeper.
Cowan had a great chance to level with 30 minutes left to play. The pacey striker latched on to a ball over the top beating Canavan for pace in the process, but could only stab his effort wide with just the keeper to beat from the edge of the box.
Togwell tested the Boro keeper a few minutes later but his long effort from 20 yards was easily caught.
Bobby Grant was the first Iron player to make his way from the bench when he was brought on in place of Duffy.
A great tackle from Reid saved the Iron in the 65th minute. Cowan once again showed a great turn of pace to give him a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However with a strike just in his sights his effort was superbly thwarted by Reid sliding in to save the Iron.
Stevenage made their second substitution of the game when Darius Charles was introduced in place of Beardsley.
Grant tested Day just after with a swinging left footed effort from the right but couldn't get enough whip and was easily received by the goalkeeper.
Lawrie Wilson did well to cut out an opportunity for Stevenage with just over ten minutes to play. The midfielder somehow managed to keep the ball in play on the goal-line before cutting back for Henry on the corner of the box. The midfielder though could only drill straight into the palms of Slocombe.
Stevenage made their last substitution of the game when Luke Freeman was taken off and replaced by Robin Shroot.
And it wasn't long until Shroot make an impact and contributed to a Stevenage equaliser in the 84th minute. A cross from Wilson down the right fell all the way back to Shroot at the back post who played the ball first time back into the box. The ball ended up at the feet of Charles who toepoked the ball past Slocombe from a few yards to make it 1-1.
The Iron pushed for a winner in the final ten but could not break down a resolute Stevenage defence but still remain unbeaten in 2012.
Iron Bar man of the match & Sponsors man of the match: Garry Thompson.
Attendance: 3,698 (252 away).
Words: James Fairbank
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