Matt Sparrow was delighted with the way the Iron got over the line to secure a 1-0 win against Oxford United, who were chasing a play-off spot.
The only goal came midway through the first half and Scunthorpe did enough to hold firm to claim all three points, delighting Sparrow.He told The Iron Player: “We started brightly and worked a lot on keeping the ball during the week and it worked. I thought from front to back we were terrific today. We deserved to win and to keep a clean sheet as well was great.”
Oxford were in desperate need of a win to keep their fading play-off push alive and tried to take the game to the Iron, but Sparrow felt the side had learnt some valuable lessons from previous draws.
He added: “We knew they were coming here to win the game, a point wasn’t really going to be enough for them. They threw the ‘keeper up at the end and were scrapping for anything. I thought we defended well and learnt from Friday at Morecambe.”
Iron midfielder, Sparrow claimed the all-important goal which now leaves the side on the verge of promotion to League One and the Iron midfielder thought it could have been enough.
“I was just arriving at the back stick and luckily I’ve scored it. It’s a great feeling, but an even better feeling to get the three points," he stated.
“I thought at one minute we were going up, but we’re not quite there yet. We’ve just got to be patient and hopefully we can seal it next week at Exeter.”
Promotion was put on hold due to fourth placed, Fleetwood Town securing a 1-0 win at home to Wycombe Wanderers, meaning they remain five points behind the Iron.
They managed to claim all three points despite being down to 10 men for majority of the game, but Sparrow was confident and excited ahead of the final two matches.
“We’ve had a bit of luck on Friday, but today we’ve won and everyone else has as well. It’s going to go right to the wire, it’s exciting times and we want to finish as champions," he said.
“We’re 100 per cent confident, we just have to stay level-headed and go again at Exeter. It’s another massive game because they are scrapping for their lives as well.”
The Iron go into the game looking to extend their unbeaten run even further and Sparrow has set his sights on staying undefeated, which could bring the title to Glanford Park.
He continued: “It’s a great feeling (extending the run), hopefully we can go all season now and win the last two. It’s terrific for everyone in the squad and obviously for the manager, Russ.”
The tremendous run has undoubtedly been a factor in the club’s successful season, but Sparrow acknowledged the role of the supporters.
Over 5,000 got behind the Iron against Oxford and this was coupled with a superb away following at Morecambe. Many will also follow the team to Exeter, where promotion could be sealed and Sparrow has been delighted with the levels of support.
“They’ve (supporters) been magnificent, I thought at Morecambe they were terrific, but today I thought they topped it," he said.
“They got behind the team and were patient. It was going to be a tough game against Oxford, but I thought they were outstanding and really got us over the line.”
See much more from Matt Sparrow, Russ Wilcox and Michael Collins on The Iron Player.