The Iron’s academy team remained top of the league with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Oldham Athletic on Saturday morning.
Lewis Butroid stabbed home the winner after the Latics failed to deal with a Scunthorpe corner, following George Hornshaw’s terrific strike had levelled the scores in the first half after the visitors took an early lead.
Oldham took the lead after 15 minutes, but the Iron responded quickly to going a goal down and were level inside two minutes.
Described as a “screamer and a really good goal” by Academy Manager Tony Daws, the ball was cleared to the edge of the area following a cross, but Hornshaw sent it into the corner of the net with interest, volleying a right-footed effort beyond the visiting shot stopper.
Harvey Ablett had the first chance of the second period to put the Iron ahead, but he put wide his free header, while Jack Dyche had two opportunities of note – twice going clean through, but failing to be the Latics’ goalkeeper. His first attempt was pulled wide, while the second effort saw the visiting ‘keeper make a fine save to deny the former Leeds United academy player.
GOAL: Lewis Butroid grabbed the Iron's winner to see them stay two points clear at the top of the league.
With two minutes left on the clock, the Iron won the game through Butroid. He got his foot on the end of the ball in the six-yard box to fire home following a corner that was initially cleared before it entered the second phase of the attack.
Academy Manager Daws said: “I was very pleased because for the second game running we had to come from behind to get something from the game.
“Oldham were a really good side and we had our work cut out. We went 1-0 down and fielded a really young side again. We only had three second year apprentices playing in Jack (Dyche), Noel (Burdett) and Ben (Ledger) and the lads were brilliant again.
“We dug out the result and equalised quickly after going behind. It was a great response. We felt, by the end of the game, that we had done enough to win. The lads showed great character, commitment and a good level of ability.
“Oldham were on a seven game winning streak, so to end that and for us to get three points showed that they have done ever so well.”
IRON: Ledger, McMichael, Butroid, Bartholomew, Sackey, Burdett, Dean-Atkinson, Hornshaw, Sithole (Train), Dyche, Ablett (Noone).