League-wise, February had been the Iron's worst month of the season and, with the likes of Stockport and Tranmere closing in on the top six, it was imperative that Scunthorpe had a decent March.
The new month had an indifferent start though as the Iron drew 1-1 at home to mid-table Walsall on a Tuesday night.
After taking a 79th-minute lead through substitute Kayode Odejayi, the Iron allowed the visitors to snatch an equaliser and then almost grab victory themselves. Troy Deeney's excellent finish levelled matters.
There was a big match the following Saturday as play-off challengers Stockport County came to town.
A 2-1 success for Scunthorpe though seemingly ended the Edgeley Park club's hopes.
Kevan Hurst netted early for his second goal of the season. Then, Gary Hooper rifled in from 25 yards to double the lead.
Michael Raynes pulled a goal back for Stockport but if anybody looked like scoring again it was an up for it Scunthorpe.
That result lifted the Iron from seventh to sixth, but they were to dip down a place again after a 2-1 away defeat at second-placed Peterborough United on the subsequent Tuesday.
Scunthorpe were magnificent in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break. Henri Lansbury struck his second goal for the club, and could have had more.
Nevertheless, the Posh were a different proposition in the second half and levelled through Chris Whelpdale before Craig Mackail-SMith's late winner.
A 1-1 draw at Carlisle the following Saturday saw morale boosted as Paul Hayes' volleyed stunner cancelled out a goal from Joe Anyinsah.
Bottom-placed Hereford United were the visitors on Tuesday night and Scunthorpe recorded a routine 3-0 victory.
Hooper fired in the opener before Hurst netted the second, and delivered a celebration based on his manager's 'grab an oar' quotes.
Hayes notched the final goal from a freeflowing attacking move as Scunthorpe climbed back up to sixth.
Their place there was solidified by a 2-0 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion four days later.
Hooper struck the opening goal from distance before Grant McCann's penalty capped the success over Russell Slade's strugglers.
There was one more game to be played in March and that came against Colchester United at Glanford Park.
With that being the final fixture before the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley, the players were determined to prove they were worth a starting place to boss Adkins.
Hooper scored the first goal 30 minutes in as he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home. Then, he added a second early in the second half as he raced clear and fired beyond Mark Cousins.
Lansbury added the third in spectacular style as he cut inside and drilled home from just outside the 18-yard box.
United were in form heading to Wembley and were safe in the knowledge that they would still be sitting sixth in the league when they set foot on the famous hallowed turf the following Sunday.
March's league record
P7 W4 L1 D2 Pts 14.
March's top scorer
Gary Hooper (five).
