Manager Nigel Adkins was delighted with the resolve shown by his side as they came from behind to make it five games unbeaten to draw 2-2 in an action-packed derby with Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Martin Woods' penalty, plus a strike from ex-Iron goal hero Billy Sharp, had put Rovers in the ascendency, but the Iron hit back through substitute Cliff Byrne's header, and then Grant McCann's penalty in the second minute out of six in second half stoppage time.

 REPORT: Scunthorpe United 2-2 Doncaster Rovers
 PLAYER: NIgel Adkins' post-match reaction
 PLAYER: Cliff Byrne's post-match reaction
 PLAYER: Rob Jones' post-match reaction
 PLAYER: Billy Sharp's post-match reaction

Rovers were down to nine men after John Oster and Quinton Fortune had both been sent off and Adkins felt it was a deserved point.

"It was great character shown to come from two goals down to go and get something out of the game, good discipline to keep 11 players on the pitch and great entertainment for the supporters." Nigel Adkins

"They did a great job on us. They swelled us in midfield and were on top in the first half," said Adkins, speaking on The Iron Player. "First half to Doncaster, second to Scunthorpe.

"In the opening half they made it difficult for us to pass the ball and the fatigue from playing 120 minutes against Port Vale in the Carling Cup the other night might have had an effect too.

"They played 4-5-1 and did very well because they denied us the opportunity to pass the ball.

"The first goal we gave away was a poor one because it wasn't a corner in the first place.

"We cleared the corner and Jonathan Forte showed pace, power and strength to stand shoulder to shoulder with their player. He then fell over and the referee gave a free kick. They played on and from the resulting passage of play Jordan Spence gave the ball away and made a rash decision to challenge for the penalty, and it was one.

"We came in at half-time and the lads had a cold shower just to give some stimulation about themselves because it was high noon and a warm afternoon

"I was disappointed with the second goal we conceded because a couple of individual mistakes let us down on that one.

"We started better in the second half though, our full backs pushed on more and we were the better team in the second half.

"John Oster's sending off was a big turning point. We've tried to look on the video and can't see anything, but Grant McCann needed five or six stitches in a facial would.

"What happened I don't know, but the officials saw something.

"We quickly brought Garry Thompson on to add more width and Cliff Byrne popped up with a great goal before we got a deserved equaliser.

"It was great character shown to come from two goals down to go and get something out of the game, good discipline to keep 11 players on the pitch and great entertainment for the supporters."

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll had no qualms with referee Keith Stroud's key decisions and believed a draw was the fairest result in the end.

He said: "Up until John Oster's sending off we were in total control.

"John knows better, he claims he got punched by someone else and reacted but you can't react, he knows that, so no complaints.

"No complaints about Quinton's tackle and no complaints about the handball.

"Last week (against Ipswich) I was really disappointed with some aspects of our play but today we were excellent and I am not going to let the last 15 minutes taint it.

"On the last 15 minutes a draw was the fair result but I'm disappointed because we thought we were going to win by three or four and in the end we were hanging on."

See much more from Nigel Adkins, Cliff Byrne, Rob Jones and Billy Sharp on The Iron Player.

Extended highlights will also be available to watch for subscribers from 4.45pm on Sunday, in addition to reaction from Michael O'Connor on Monday morning.

A downloadable version of our award-winning matchday programme for the Doncaster game is also available to download on The Iron Player.