The Iron Under-18s side were beaten 3-1 by their Burton Albion counterparts at St George's Park on Saturday.
With no second year trainees starting the game due to injuries, it was a very youthful United side that played.
"We were better in the second half but during the first we struggled as they were bigger and stronger than us to be fair," Professional Development Phase Coach Steve Thornber said.
United managed to hold on and keep it at 1-0 up to half-time, without having a great deal of chances.
The Iron started the second half better and pressed the Brewers, but went 2-0 down in the 55th minute when pushing for an equaliser but were caught on the counter-attack, failing to clear a cross and the second ball fell in the box to a Burton player who managed to score.
After 60 minutes, Scunthorpe gave away a penalty which was scored to make it 3-0.
On 68 minutes, United pulled a goal back when Harry Lewis went on a fantastic run from his own half, cutting inside and firing a right-footed shot into the top corner from 20 yards.
The Iron were then in the ascendency and looked like they might make another comeback like previously this season. U16 player Charlie Strouther was put through and his left foot shot just went wide of the post.
With 85 minutes played, Lewis' free-kick was whipped around the wall but the goalkeeper tipped it past the post. Then the same player, deep into stoppage time, had another shot which the goalkeeper palmed wide.
"It was a spirited performance in the second-half, and we ended the game with two Under-15s on the pitch" added Thornber.
"Another positive was goalkeeper Ben Crosher coming on after 66 minutes for his first game time since pre-season, after wrist and shoulder injuries."
IRON: Balme (Crosher, 66), Franklin, Trialist A, Lewis, Lobley, Moore-Billam, Moore (Abraham, 70, Cribb, Trialist B (Trialist D, 59), Poulter, Trialist C (Strouther, 59).