The Iron drew 2-2 against Colchester United, who came back from two goals down at the Sands Venue Stadium.

In the first five minutes of the game, the U’s tried to make some early advances up field hoping to clench an early chance or goal.

The Iron were the first to get a chance though, eight minutes in as Abo Eisa crossed the ball into Kevin van Veen, whose shot went just past the post.

Strong defending from Jordan Clarke saw him stop Colchester’s first chance, clearing it off the line just in time, after a ball came in across from the right.

Soon after, the Iron came close again. A Rory McArdle ball was flicked on by James Perch, reaching Lee Novak, whose shot was saved by away goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

The Iron continued to create close chances. James Perch came close 10 minutes from the break after receiving the ball from a van Veen cross, heading it just inches over the crossbar.

Scunthorpe were rewarded three minutes from the break, as Eisa’s long-range drive from 25 yards flew straight past the defending players and Gerken into the bottom right-hand corner of the net, giving the home side a much deserved lead.

Colchester tried to get one back before the break as captain Luke Prosser’s last-minute shot was just sent over the crossbar, before the stroke of the whistle, which saw the Iron walk off 1-0 up.

Only two minutes into the second half, the Iron got their second goal of the game, increasing their advantage. 

An Alex Gilliead cross into the box from the right by-line set van Veen up to head the ball straight into the back of the net, giving the Iron a two-goal lead.

Ten minutes after the second Iron goal, Colchester got their first of the game, after Luke Norris flicked the ball past Jake Eastwood as he slipped down backwards in the box.

Their newfound momentum led to their second goal 62 minutes in, as Luke Prosser levelled things up for the travelling side after his shot on goal was sent straight past Eastwood.

The equaliser pushed the home side to try and create more chances that would see them go ahead once again.

The Iron were awarded a free-kick just outside the 20-yard area after Eisa was taken down. The set piece was cleared by Gerken, who only just managed to get a hand to it after van Veen crossed it in.

Things began to get heated 20 minutes from time, after a penalty shout from home fans was waved by Ross Joyce after Clarke was taken down in the box. 

Neither team were able to secure another goal and break the stalemate, with both sides having to settle for a draw and a point as they walked off the pitch on the final whistle.

IRON: Eastwood, Clarke, Ntlhe, Songo’o, van Veen, Perch (McAtee, 86’), Novak, Gilliead, McArdle (C), McGahey, Eisa.

UNUSED SUBS: Watson, Butler, Dales, Ward, Brown, Proctor.

COLCHESTER: Gerken, Jackson, Bramall, Prosser (C), Senior (Harriott, 45’), Pell, Norris (Robinson, 89’), Comley, Eastman, Nouble, Poku.

UNUSED SUBS: Ross, Lapslie, Sowunmi, Clampin, Gambin.

ATTENDANCE: 3,081.