The Iron's reserve team drew 1-1 at their Sheffield United counterparts on Wednesday evening, with Peter Winn putting Scunthorpe ahead.

It was their opening Pontins League Eastern Section fixture of the season and United went ahead through first year professional Peter Winn on the half-hour mark before an equaliser from Ryan Cresswell two minutes later.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening exchanges at a windy and cold Don Valley Stadium, apart from a well-struck snapshot by former Scunthorpe loanee Evan Horwood which flew straight at goalkeeper Josh Lillis. Horwood was on loan with the Iron two years ago but failed to make a first-team appearance.

Scunthorpe were holding firm early on as the home team began to take more of the initiative without causing too many problems in the final third, their first major chance came when former Northampton loanee Jordan Robertson somehow managed an awkward volley bang which Lillis stopped with a flying save.

Keeping it tight at the back, the Iron took the lead on the counter-attack on 36 minutes. The goal came when Daniel McBreen beat off the attentions of Cresswell to show strength and win Kelly Youga's left-wing cross. The ball broke kindly for Winn to smash past the helpless Blades' stopper with some aplomb from 12 yards.

Unfortunately, the home team were soon level. Tall Blades' defender Cresswell claimed the equaliser just two minutes later with a stinging volley. A corner-kick was allowed to drop at the centre-back's feet and he cracked the ball perfectly into the far bottom corner, past Lillis.

The home team had a great chance to go before the interval ahead but James Kerry side-footed wide following Nicky Law's excellent spadework, and the half ended with a booking when Joe Wilcox upended Christian Nade.

Dave Mulligan produced a decent effort just off target to kick off the second period, but the Iron spent most of it under pressure without ever really being threatened.

The pacy Law caught the eye with a wriggling run and cross along the byline and Nade was only just wide with the flick at the near post although Lillis was well-placed to cover.

The Iron survived the final flourish when Donnelly headed Law's cross back into the danger area and Robertson was crowded out as he tried to volley home amidst claims for a penalty-kick.

They happily took a point from the season opener at the Don Valley Stadium as they look ahead to a decent season.

The Iron's team: Josh Lillis, Joe Wilcox, Kelly Youga, Jack Webster, Niall Canavan, Dave Mulligan, Jason Moxon, Miles Smith, Daniel McBreen, Peter Winn, Ben Porter.

Substitutes: Danny Gibbons, Joel Barnett, Matthew Godden, Jamie Gyoury-Hales, Jon Walton.