Iron manager Russ Wilcox felt there were positives and negatives to take from the 3-1 season-opening defeat at Swindon.
Massimo Luongo and Michael Smith put the Robins into a two-goal lead in the first 12 minutes.However, Paddy Madden pulled one back ten minutes later and United looked like they could get something out of the game.
There were numerous chances not taken and the hosts made Scunthorpe pay when Ben Gladwin's drive hit the post and ricocheted off Smith into an empty net to extend Swindon's lead.
"It's difficult coming away to a team that finished in the top ten last season," he told The Iron Player.
"We have to be better than that. You can't give any side at any level a two goal lead and expect to get back in.
"It was a fantastic response from the players.
"I've seen situations where teams lay down and concede four or five.
"We got back into the game after a terrific finish from Paddy Madden after a great bit of play from Deon Burton.
"At 2-1, they had a golden opportunity and it ricocheted to make it 3-1.
"They are key moments in games. You just need that little bit of luck.
"We created a lot of opportunities and sometimes you have to be more clinical.
"However, we didn't help ourselves in the first 12 minutes."
See much more from Russ Wilcox, and others, on The Iron Player.