Playing with ten men for more than 70 minutes, Scunthorpe United were eventual defeated by Sky Bet League Two rivals Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
Reduced to 10 men after James Perch’s dismissal, the Iron took the lead against the odds but the U’s came from behind to turn it around. Paul Lewis cancelled out Rory McArdle’s second goal of the game as it finished 3-2.
Jack Roles fired over the bar early on for the U’s as the midfielder tried his luck from the edge of the area.
With 18 minutes on the watch, Harrison Dunk charged down the left and slid a low ball into the box but Paul Lewis cleared the bar from close range with his effort.
James Perch was given his marching orders from referee Charles Breakspear in the 21st minute, receiving a straight red for a challenge on Harvey Knibbs.
Rory Watson made a superb save, with 10 minutes until the half time whistle, to deny Knibbs. The ‘keeper clawed the ball behind after the striker was teed up on the edge of the area.
Minutes later, substitute Regan Slater whipped in a set-piece from the left which fell to Matthew Lund but the latter couldn’t get a clear sight of goal.
Alex Gilliead saw his effort turned behind for a corner, after some good hold-up play from Kyle Wootton.
The Iron took the lead with 41 minutes on the clock. Rory McArdle notched his second goal in as many games, nodding in from the resulting corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Knibbs spurned a chance for the hosts. The striker spun and had a shot but goalscorer McArdle got his body in the way to make the block.
Deep into added time, Harrison McGahey defended well, throwing himself in front of an incoming effort before another green shirt made a block.
The Iron started brightly after the break. Abo Eisa made for the byline, drilling a low cross into the box that just evaded the reach of Wootton, arriving in the box.
Cambridge equalised eight minutes into the second half. Leon Davies’ cut back found Knibbs who prodded home to make it 1-1.
Moments later, the U’s spun the scoreline on it’s head. Paul Lewis got the final touch as the ball crossed the line to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
With 59 minutes gone, Lewis drew another fine stop from Watson. The ‘keeper made a fingertip save from the midfielder, glancing into the far corner.
It wasn’t long before the Iron were back on terms. McArdle netted his third of the season, losing his marker inside the area to nod in the equaliser, with 62 minutes on the clock.
Sam Smith headed wide after the ball was floated into the box by George Taft, with the forward finding himself in space inside the area.
In the 74th minute, the U’s restored their advantage as Lewis headed in to make it 3-2.
Watson showed good hands to hold Maris’ powerful strike from outside the area, with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
The Iron hit the post in the 90th minute after some good trickery from Eisa to turn into the box. Lund slid the ball across the face of goal but Clarke hit the woodwork late in the day.
Cambridge: Mitov, Taft, Taylor, O’Neil (Maris 72’), Dunk (Hannant 67’), Darling, Davies, Smith, Lewis, Knibbs (Richards 77’), Roles.
Cambridge unused subs: Burton, Dallas, John, Lambe.
Iron: Watson, Ntlhe, Lund, Butler, Wootton, Hammill (Slater 26’), Perch, Gilliead, McArdle, McGahey (Clarke 80’), Eisa.
Iron unused subs: Eastwood, Songo’o, Hallam, McAtee, Dawson.
Attendance: 3,917 (192 away).