The Iron’s academy side dropped to second place following a slender 1-0 defeat to Hartlepool United on Saturday morning.
Playing for the first time in almost three weeks, the youth side were in for a tough game against the team who had picked up some fine form in recent weeks.
The only goal of the game came in the 20th minute following an attack down the right wing which saw a low and powerful shot come in from long range which flew into the bottom corner of the net, past Ben Ledger in goal.
Scunthorpe’s chance to respond came following a cross into the box, which gave the Iron a free header at the far post, but the Hartlepool shot stopper did well to keep the ball out of the net.
The youth side also had a couple of chances to restore parity via one-on-ones but couldn’t capitalise on the chances to earn the side a point.
Academy manager Tony Daws said: “It was a tough game against a side on a really good run. We didn’t achieve the levels and the usual standards of play that we have been used to of late, but having not played for three weeks, we battled well.”
Mansfield Town return to the summit of the league, knowing a victory at Grimsby this weekend will hand them the title. A draw would mean the Iron’s youth string would have to take maximum points from their remaining two games, while a defeat would mean four points would be enough to see Scunthorpe crowned Champions.
IRON: Ledger, McMichael, Sithole, Dean-Atkinson, Sackey, Butroid, Hornshaw, Trialist A, Bartholomew, Dyche, Ablett (Noon).