Scunthorpe United FC

United saw themselves draw another game, this time 1-1 away at Northampton Town.

Niall Canavan put the Iron ahead midway through the second half with a confident header, before Northampton striker Clive Platt levelled for the hosts.

It was Scunthorpe’s fourth draw from six games which sees them in 15th place in League Two

United made only one change from the team that were knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.

Chris Iwelumo replaced the on loan forward Jimmy Spencer in the starting eleven from the side that lost on penalties to Sheffield United, after drawing 0-0 in the 90 minutes.

With Etienne Esajas keeping his place in the team following the midweek game, it was he who had the first effort of the game. Sean McAllister gave him the ball on the edge of the area. He hit it well but it sailed over the bar.

Minutes later, the Iron continued on their bright start to the game. After a good spell of possession, United carved out two more chances in the first five minutes. The first was from Sam Winnall, whose shot was comfortably held by Northampton keeper Matt Duke. The second came to Eddie Nolan. After good work from Winnall down the left, the ball found its way to Nolan outside the box, his shot however went wide of the left post.

On 14 minutes, Scunthorpe had a great chance to put themselves 1-0 up. After Winnall was fouled deep inside the Northampton half, Sparrow stepped up to take the free kick, his cross was well matched by the fantastic run made by Canavan round the back of the Northampton defence.

He disappointingly failed to control the ball and it trickled out for a goal kick.

With injury to Ribeiro in the 19th minute, his replacement Terry Hawkridge nearly made an instant impact. Esajas put a cross towards the back post which was well met by Hawkridge. His well stuck volley was blocked by the Northampton defence to keep the score at 0-0.

With another 10 minutes gone, neither side managed to take control of possession, although Scunthorpe did manage to create another opening. A nice passage of play between Hawkridge and Winnall saw Winnall with the opportunity to shoot. The crowd of Northampton bodies denied him the chance to get on the score sheet.

It took until the 35th minute for the hosts to have a meaningful chance. Right back Kevin Amankwaah put a menacing cross into the box, Danny Emerton had an ambitious swing at it but the ball flew past him and the rest of the on looking Northampton forwards and fizzled out for the Northampton team.

Following that chance, Northampton started to get in the swing of things. A ball into the box was well met by Cobbler’s striker Clive Platt. Luckily for the Iron fans, Slocombe saw his header ease wide of the post.

With five minutes remaining of the opening half remaining, the game started to even out, although it was again Northampton to have the next significant opportunity. After a hit from Platt was parried by Slocombe, the ball fell to winger Chris Hackett. His shot found its way past the keeper but McAllister was there to happily clear it off the line.

The announcement of two minutes' added time gave Scunthorpe the spirit to find one more opportunity to break the deadlock. Hawkridge picked up the ball outside the area, with no defenders looking challenge him he continued to run at goal. He eventually got his a decent strike away but it went wide of the goal.

That turned out to be the last chance of the half as both teams went in at the break with the score at 0-0.

Scunthorpe started the second half much like they ended the first. An Etienne Esajas corner found Iwelumo in acres of space, he didn’t make good contact with the ball as his header went wide.

Brian Laws side could have been one nil up, five minutes into the second half. A great run made by McAllister was found by Esajas down the right hand side. McAllister burst into the box and pulled the ball back for Winnall, whose shot was saved by Matt Duke.

Minutes later and against the run of play, Northampton created an opportunity to get ahead. A cross from the right wing was straight onto the head of Clive Platt. His header was directly at Slocombe, who was grateful to see the ball fall into his hands.

And it was Aidy Boothroyd’s team who created the next opportunity. Cobblers substitute Jacob Blyth rose well, despite pressure from David Mirfin, and was unfortunate to see his header inches away from the goal.

Northampton continued to pile the pressure onto Scunthorpe as both sides looked for only their second win of the season. Midfielder Gary Deegen found himself with the ball on the edge of the goal but his great strike flew wide of the goal.

Scunthorpe finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute and it was much deserved. Hawkridge put a great corner into the box and it was fantastically met by Niall Canavan, as his header found the top right hand corner of the net in front of the Iron fans.

The hosts looked to break back minutes later as O’Donovan broke into the box. His goal bound shot was tipped well by Slocombe. Hackett came running in to the parried shot but his header was saved again by Slocombe to keep Scunthorpe one up.

They took confidence from that opportunity as it was long until they got themselves level. A defensive mix-up between Mirfin and Canavan presented Clive Platt with a perfect chance to make the score 1-1 in the 78th minute. He calmly put the ball past Slocombe much to Northampton fans delight.

The Iron nearly got themselves back in front in the 84th minute. Iwelumo won a free kick just outside the area. Hawkridge struck the set piece low and hard but the Northampton wall did its job, as they deflected the shot out for a corner.

After four minutes of added time was announced, both sides were looking to win it but neither team could get that winner as Scunthorpe played out their fourth draw of the season.

Next up for the Iron is Southend United away on Friday night as Scunthorpe look to bounce back from yet another draw.

TEAM LINE-UPS
Northampton Town: Duke, Amankwaah (Tozer 77), Widdowson, Carter, Collins, Platt (C), O’Donovan, Hackett, Deegan, Emerton (Blyth 53), Heath.
Substitutes not used: Hooper, McNamara, Toney, Harriott.

Scunthorpe United: Slocombe, Ribeiro (Hawkridge 19), Mirfin, Canavan, Dawson (C), Sparrow, McAllister, Nolan, Esajas (Spencer 71), Iwelumo, Winnall (Burton 87).
Substitutes not used: Severn, Welsh, Waterfall, Howe.

Attendance: 4,132 (406 away).