We continue looking back at the 2015/16 season, moving into the third month of the league campaign...
October proved to be the exact reversal of the preceding month. Following just one victory in six games which also saw United defeated on five occasions, October would see the Iron surge up the table with fifteen points from a possible eighteen.The team's only defeat saw them lose 2-1 to Gillingham in stoppage time - and even that game Scunthorpe were unfortunate and aggrieved not to have picked up all three points.
IRON (Madden, 68) 1-0 FLEETWOOD
For a full report for this match, click here.
It was just the sort of match the Iron needed to kick-start their month following a dogged display and a narrow victory thanks to another strike from Irishman Paddy Madden.
The United talisman bagged the winner midway through the second half to seal the points, firing home after an assist from loanee Joe Lolley following two interchanges between the two players in the build-up to the goal.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC (Kelly, 25, Poleon, 27) 2-4 IRON (McSheffrey, 10, Rowe, 35, Madden, 69, van Veen, 84)
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron came from 2-1 down to win 4-2 following a dominant second half performance which included one of the goals of the season from Dutchman Kevin van Veen.
Gary McSheffrey found himself in space on the left to drill home the opener before a quickfire double from Liam Kelly and Dominic Poleon put the hosts in charge. Loanee Tommy Rowe's deflected effort restored parity for United before the interval before they went in the ascendancy in the second period.
Madden smashed home following a tremendous save to deny Tom Hopper to put Scunthorpe ahead for the second time in the game before Sean McAllister played forward for van Veen to beat three and audaciously lift the ball over the goalkeeper.
HIGHLIGHTS...
Take a look at the highlights when we faced Oldham at sportsdirect.com Park, including Goal of the Month for October from Kevin van Veen.
IRON (Laird, 58, Madden, (pen) 74) 2-1 SHREWSBURY TOWN (KaiKai, 15)
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron were forced to come from behind to beat Shrewsbury Town at Glanford Park.
Scott Laird was picking up another £1 from his grandmother for heading in his first goal for the club, latching onto a tantalising cross from Madden to cancel out an early Sullay KaiKai strike from the end of the penalty area.
The game was Madden's to win though and, after a direct run from Rowe, Bishop nipped in and was tripped in the area, allowing the Irishman to seal the three points from twelve yards out.
GILLINGHAM (Dickenson, 59, Lennon 90+2) 2-1 IRON (Laird, 53)
For a full report for this match, click here.
After a performance that arguably warranted all three points, the Iron returned from Kent with nothing following a late stoppage time goal at Priestfields.
Scott Laird got his second goal in three days to put United ahead, latching onto a cross to the edge of the area to expertly fire the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net before Brennan Dickenson levelled up the scores six minutes later.
Harry Lennon completed the turnaround in stoppage time following a floated free kick into the Scunthorpe penalty area in which he got the narrowest of touches.
CHESTERFIELD 0-3 IRON (Madden, (pen) 56, 78, McSheffrey, 63)
For a full report for this match, click here.
After a goalless first half, the Iron ran riot following an early second half penalty and red card as McSheffrey was clattered as he went through on goal.
Madden dispatched the resultant spot kick before McSheffrey was allowed time and space on the edge of the box to fire in a thunderous half volley with his right foot to double the advantage after Jordan Clarke's cross from the right was only cleared as far as the former Birmingham City and Coventry City winger..
Madden grabbed his second of the game as he was allowed time to prod the ball into the net from the edge of the area after Laird's pass across the penalty box.
IRON (Hopper, 6, McSheffrey, 41) 2-0 BARNSLEY
For a full report for this match, click here.
It was third time lucky for the Iron as they took three points from Barnsley after two early-season cup defeats against the Tykes at Glanford Park.
The match was sealed before half time to condemn the visitors to their sixth successive defeat following a defensive mix-up which allowed Tom Hopper to net his first goal since his permanent move to the club in what will probably be the easiest goal he will score. He touched home from a yard out after a mix-up between the last defender and the goalkeeper.
McSheffrey netted the other Iron goal, expertly firing home a cross from the right with his right boot, drilling low and hard into the corner of the net.
HOPPER DELIGHT: The Iron striker wheels away in celebration after giving Scunthorpe a 6th minute lead against Barnsley.
INS...
Tommy Rowe - on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers (October 2, 2015)
Joe Lolley - loan from Huddersfield Town extended (October 27, 2015)
OUTS...
Kyle Wootton - on loan to Lincoln City (October 30, 2015)
OCTOBER MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARD FOR ROBINS...
Following an upturn in fortunes which saw the Iron win five games out of six in October, Iron manager at the time Mark Robins was named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month.
He said: "It's pleasing to have won the award. It is testament to the players’ performances and the support of the chairman, directors and staff. The fans have been excellent too.
"We picked up a couple of decent results at the start of the month and have just carried on in the same vein. We’re in a reasonable position now, where we can focus and really kick on. We have to carry on moving forward together."
To read the full story, click here.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Mark Robins with his MOTM award, also promoting the club's Save Our Steel day, which arrived in November.
IN THE NEWS...
Remembering Richard Hawcroft - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/remembering-richard-2721932.aspx
Oliver's Goalkeeping Boost - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/olivers-goalkeeping-boost-2751250.aspx
GOALKEEPERS UNION: United goalkeepers Luke Daniels and Joe Anyon pictured with Oliver Hammond prior to the 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town.
Connor enjoys first Glanford Park visit - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/connor-enjoys-first-glanford-park-visit-2751442.aspx