Three successive draws began the month of March
That was as the Iron thrice giving away goal advantages to draw against Newport County (2-2), Northampton Town (1-1) and Southend United (2-2) respectively.Ironically, with United about to equal their club record for the longest undefeated streak (previously 19) they came up against the opponents that ended that run in 2007; Northampton Town.
Aside from the former match, the Iron scored the first goal in every game in the month – leading 2-0 at half time against Southend United before conceding two goals of bizarre nature. The first saw the Shrimper’s centre half control and have a go from 45 yards out, outwitting Slocombe, before the second saw a cross find the net.
Nevertheless, Scunthorpe continued their run, completing three wins on the spin against Plymouth, Burton and Cheltenham, before a goalless encounter against Wycombe at the end of the month. That stretched the Iron’s unbeaten run to 24, equalling the Football League record of 24 games set by John Benson with Wigan Athletic in 1999/00 (a run that ironically started with a 3-0 victory over Scunthorpe) and closing in on the World Record set by Andre Villas-Boas of Porto.
Game of the Month: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Scunthorpe United
The Iron left it late, but clinched three pivotal points in their promotion push in a brilliant footballing game at Home Park.
Sam Slocombe was once again a key performer in the side as he kept his sixteenth league clean sheet of the season, preventing Canavan from scoring an own goal and saving from Hourihane and Alessandra.
The Iron had chances too, with Madden firing over just before Syers broke the deadlock. It was he who was quickest to react to substitute Paul Hayes’ low cross-cum-shot to divert the ball past Jake Cole ten minutes from time.
Adelakun was the other player brought on as a substitute, and it was he who fortuitously wrapped up the game deep into injury time. He went direct before hitting low across goal, an effort that cannoned back into play. The ball hit goalkeeper Cole though and trickled back into the net to seal the win.
Goal of the Month: Paddy Madden v Burton
Deemed as such a difficult skill to accomplish, a side-footed volley from striker Paddy Madden from 20 yards was exactly what was achieved on the hour mark against Burton Albion. The strike was good enough to win any game – and it did on this occasion, with the Iron keeping their seventeenth league clean sheet of the season.
It was Gary McSheffrey who floated the ball in from the halfway line, with Burton twice attempting to clear the ball, before the ball reached the edge of the penalty area. However the second clearance, which was half-hearted, was sent back with full interest by the Iron striker, firing high into the top left-hand corner for his third goal for the club.