The Iron began April with an invaluable 1-0 win away to strugglers Torquay United.
The match saw Sam Winnall scoring the only goal from the penalty-spot as they continued their push for promotion.Torquay had the chance to rescue a draw through a spot-kick of their own, but Sam Slocombe produced yet another penalty save - this time from Gulls’ Dale Tongue – to ensure his side took all three points.
Successive draws against Bury and Morecambe followed, with United’s respective opposition each registering goals in injury-time to salvage improbable results that stalled promotion celebrations.
Better was to come in the penultimate game of the month, when Matt Sparrow struck to guide his side to a narrow 1-0 home victory over Oxford United which left the Iron on the brink of promotion.
That promotion was to be confirmed in the very next match away to Exeter City, with United’s position in the top three settled despite falling to a surprise 2-0 defeat against the Grecians.
The campaign was concluded with a 2-2 home draw against York City on May 3 with Paddy Madden and Terry Hawkridge scoring before the Iron were pegged back. We finished the season in second place.
Game of the Month: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Oxford United
After late disappointment against both Bury and Morecambe in each of their two previous games, the Iron went into the meeting with Oxford United at Glanford Park knowing the importance of getting back to winning ways.
They were to do just that, with Matt Sparrow’s impressive knack of scoring vital goals in big games continuing as his solitary strike settled an even contest.
With 15 minutes on the clock, the United favourite stole in unchecked at the back-post to expertly convert a Michael Collins cross which had been diverted into his path by Sam Winnall.
Oxford had several chances to get back on terms, but found themselves shut out by an Iron defence determined to hold onto their precious lead.
The win would effectively seal promotion, with United’s place in the automatic promotion positions confirmed five days later despite suffering a 2-0 reverse away to Exeter City.