The Iron slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swindon Town at the County Ground on Saturday.
There were five changes from last Saturday's FA Cup victory over Southend United. Joe Anyon came in for the injured Luke Daniels in goal. Jordan Clarke returned to the starting eleven, in place of the suspended Scott Laird. Niall Canavan made his first start since the opening day of the season, coming in for Charlie Goode, to partner David Mirfin at the heart of the Iron defence, and Scott Wiseman shifted across to left-back, in the absence of Laird.There were changes in the midfield also, as Jack King was partnered by Sean McAllister, who took the place of Neal Bishop, who had been ill. Tommy Rowe, who was ineligible for the win over the Shrimpers, came back into the side and to offer support to Kevin van Veen, along with Paddy Madden and Gary McSheffrey.
The visitors took control of the game in the early stages, and almost got themselves ahead inside of five minutes. After some good work by Madden down the right flank, the Irishman picked out Rowe, who found some space in the penalty area. However, despite making contact with the cross, the midfielder lost his footing on the slippery surface.
United had the hosts on the back foot and were creating chances at will. This time it was McSheffrey who found some room in the box but, despite driving a low shot on target, Robins 'keeper Lawrence Vigouroux saved well with his feet.
McSheffrey's chance seemed to wake Martin Ling's side up, but Ben Gladwin could only hit a long range effort comfortably into the arms of Joe Anyon, 13 minutes in.
The Swindon goal continued to live a charmed life and, with 15 minutes on the clock, van Veen spun on the edge of the area and hit a shot which flew just wide of the left hand post.
The Dutchman soon went close again, this time he made a darting run towards the near post - but the United number 10 could only fire wide after being picked out by Clarke.
Despite their dominance, United nearly fell behind, five minutes before the break. After a corner from the left hand side, Mirfin, in his efforts to poke the ball away, sent it towards the goal. But credit to Rowe, who brilliantly cleared off the goal-line.
The Iron's constant pressure throughout the first period wasn't rewarded, as both sides went in level at the break.
Immediately from the restart, United were back on the front foot. McAllister found Madden on the right, who cut in on to his left foot before striking a shot which forced Vigouroux to tip the ball over his crossbar.
The hosts came back at the Iron straight away, with midfielder Gladwin firing over from around 25 yards out. The effort was never of any concern to Anyon, who watched the ball sail into the stand behind his goal.
Moments later though, Ling's side did get themselves in front. After performing what seemed heroics from close range to save a first effort, Anyon could do nothing about Raphael Rossi-Branco's follow up effort, which flew past him and into the back of the net.
Things then went from bad to worse for Mark Robins' men, as they fell two goals behind. The home side dispossessed United on halfway and then broke quickly. The ball eventually found it's way to Nicky Ajose, who finished calmly past Anyon at the near post.
With 20 minutes left to play, the Iron got themselves back in the game. McSheffrey's corner was perfectly flighted and an unmarked Clarke powered home a header into the top left corner of the goal.
Clarke's header rocked the home side and, shortly after, substitute Darius Henderson nearly brought United level with one of his own. However, Vigouroux in the Robins goal made sure he didn't spill the United stiker's close range effort.
The visitors were doing everything to try and get level, and they came within inches of doing so when McSheffrey rattled the post with a free-kick. So unlucky for the Iron winger, as it looked for all the world as if the ball would find it's way past Vigouroux.
United threw everything at the hosts, but couldn’t find an equaliser. A day of frustration for the Iron, as they controlled large periods of the game.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Swindon Town: Vigouroux, Barry, Branco, El-Abd, Turnbull, Ormonde-Ottewill, Rodgers, Traore, Gladwin (Robert, 78), Ajose, Obika (Thomas, 73)
Substitutes not used: Belford, Brophy, Hylton, Iandolo, Ojamaa
Scunthorpe United: Anyon, Wiseman, Mirfin, Canavan, Clarke, King, McAllister (Adelakun, 89), Rowe (Williams, 65), McSheffrey, Madden, van Veen (Henderson, 61)
Substitutes not used: Ledger, Goode, Boyce, Sutton
Attendance: 6,957 (320 away).
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