Report: Iron 0-0 Northampton Town

The Iron were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Northampton Town on Tuesday evening.

Tyrese Sinclair came the closest to opening the scoring early in the first half with his powerful header, as United matched the Cobblers for large parts of the encounter.

It was the Iron who created the game’s first real chance on goal, as a smart break away from Liam Feeney allowed Sinclair to seemingly break through one-on-one on goal. 

The 21-year-old unfortunately couldn't get the ball any under real control and lashed his right-footed shot into the arms of Liam Roberts. 

Mitch Pinnock’s long throw gave the Iron initial worry in the early stages of the game, as time and time again the Cobblers number 11 launched the ball into the box, looking to carve open an opportunity. 

After 13 minutes Sam Hoskins tried to cheekily lift the ball over Rory Watson, with the United shot-stopper safely collecting the ball. 

Jai Rowe then tested the keeper from the edge of the area following some smart hold up play from Joe Nuttall. His effort was in turn easily collected by Roberts.

Ali Koiki tried his luck from 25 yards for the Cobblers shortly after, with the ball sailing over the bar. 

A superb piece of link up play down the right flank involving Sinclair and Feeney resulted in a super ball across the six-yard-line which unfortunately evaded Manny Onariase at the back post as Scunthorpe began to grow into the encounter on the half hour mark. 

Five minutes before the break, Sinclair again went in search of the opening goal for United. A superb delivery from Ross Millen found its way to the Mansfield loanee whose header had to besubsequently tipped over for a corner. 

The game’s first yellow card was produced shortly before the half-time whistle sounded, as Tyler Magloire’s late challenge from on Lewis Thompson forced the hand of Darren Handley. 

Harry Bunn then latched onto a smart chested pass from Nuttall before his left footed strike trickled into the hands of Roberts at the start of the second period. 

Northampton then thought they should have been awarded a penalty as Lewis Thompson tussled with Sam Hoskins in an attempt to get on the end of a cross. 

Millen then superbly blocked Pinnock’s goal-bound strike as both sides looked for a goal ahead goal. 

On the hour mark Pinnock then fired high and wide into the home end before Ali Koiki was carded for a cynical foul as Sinclair looked to break away quickly for the Iron. 

Thompson was then forced to be withdrawn on his first start since November, as the game was forced to paused whilst the 22-year-old received lengthy medical treatment. 

Millen was then again the Iron hero, as for the second time the defender cleared the ball away from danger, this time preventing Eppiah from scoring following his introduction moments prior. 

The Cobblers then began to pen the Iron back heading into the final ten minutes, with Ryan Delaney twice clearing the ball away from any potential danger. 

Hoskins then cannoned his left footed effort against the crossbar, with Watson getting a touch, with just five minutes remaining, as both teams desperately went in search of a winning goal.

With nine minutes added on following Thompson’s injury, Northampton's Paul Lewis saw a strike from the edge of the area mark the final action of the evening. 

The Iron face Sutton United this coming weekend, as we travel to Surrey to face them at Gander Green Lane (3pm kick-off).

IRON: Watson, Millen, Onariase, Delaney, Thompson (O’Malley, 73), Sinclair (Burns, 87), Rowe, Grant, Feeney, Bunn (Hackney, 78), Nuttall.

IRON SUBS NOT USED: Collins, Pyke, Moore-Billam. Young.

NORTHAMPTON: Roberts, McGowan, Guthrie, Horsfall, Hoskins, Lewis, Lubala (Eppiah, 73), Pinnock, Koiki, Magloire, Rose (Ashley-Seal, 73).

NORTHAMPTON SUBS NOT USED: Maxted, Harriman, Pollock, Mills, Abimbola.

ATTENDANCE: 2,355.