Scunthorpe drew 1-1 with Salford City at the Sands Venue Stadium on Saturday, as Ryan Loft’s goal before half-time was cancelled out by former Iron loanee Conor McAleny.

10 minutes in, United had their first opportunity after Jai Rowe’s drilled cross was deflected by a Salford defender which spun towards the away side’s goal and out for a home corner.

Minutes later, McAleny had a long-range effort blocked by the Iron defence and out for a corner.

Jake Scrimshaw had his first opportunity of the game in the 15th minute mark after Mason O’Malley’s curled cross was met by a rising Scrimshaw whose headed effort narrowly went over the bar.

United had a handful of chances after the home side pressured Salford into a mistake with Scrimshaw picking up the ball and finding Loft in the box, who struck the ball at goal but was blocked by the away defence. Hayden Hackney smashed the rebounded effort towards goal but put the ball over the bar.

After 20 minutes, Hackney again had a chance after Loft found the midfielder in space, who curled a shot to the far post but couldn’t keep the ball down as it went out for a goal-kick.

Rory Watson was brought into action after Josh Morris’ free-kick on the edge of the area was fired at goal with the shotstopper making a diving save and tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.

The Iron took the lead after 37 minutes when the home side continued to apply pressure on the away side with O’Malley rampaging forward into the box, forcing the defender to pass back to goal. Connor Ripley tried clearing it but blasted it at O’Malley and it deflected to the centre of goal where Loft tapped home.

10 minutes into the second half, Scunthorpe momentarily took a two-goal lead after Hackney whipped a free-kick to the back post where Emmanuel Onariase was lurking and headed it into the centre of the box where it came off a Salford defender and went into the net. However, it was ruled out for offside.

Minutes later, Salford equalised after a counter-attack when Conor McAleny was played through and finished the ball past Watson.

Donald Love had a wild effort at goal after 60 minutes when he lashed a shot at goal which rose over the goal and out for a goal kick.

Mathew Lund then launched a shot over the bar after volleying from the edge of the box.

With seven minutes left to play, substitute Tom Pugh made an instant impact after meeting Ross Millen’s far post cross but couldn’t make a proper connection with the ball as it went out for a goal kick.

Minutes later, Pugh almost had the ball in the net for the home side after his cross went over Connor Ripley’s head and bounced off the post and back into play.

With four minutes left of the second half, Loft picked up the ball in the final third and powered a shot at goal but went over the bar.

Deep into stoppage time, Brandon Thomas-Asante took a shot on goal form the edge of the box but dragged his effort wide.

Scunthorpe return to action when they visit Mansfield Town next Saturday.

IRON: Watson, Taft, Loft, Scrimshaw (Jarvis, 80), O’Malley, Kenyon, Onariase, Hippolyte (Millen, 67), Rowe, Perry, Hackney (Pugh, 80).

IRON SUBS NOT USED: Balme, Green, Beestin, Thompson.

SALFORD: Ripley, Love, Lowe, Eastham, Lund, Morris, Turnbull, McAleny (Dackers, 89) N’Mai (Oteh, 61), Shepard, Thomas-Asante.

SALFORD SUBS NOT USED: Jeacock, Golden, Smith, Denney, Vassell.

ATTENDANCE: 2,614.