Daws post-Wealdstone (A)

Interim first team manager Tony Daws spoke to Iron Player after the 3-1 loss with ten men against Wealdstone.

Caolan Lavery gave United the lead but a controversial red card decision involving Joe Nuttall ultimately led to Scunthorpe being beaten at Grosvenor Vale.

Daws said: "It was disappointing to lose the game. It was tough and always was going to be, but was made harder by going down to ten men.

"We've looked at it a number of times and don't think it was a sending off. Joe Nuttall isn't that kind of player to go in with malicious intent on the goalkeeper. We've watched the incident back a number of times and asked Joe in all honesty, he said and we don't think he did it purposefully.

"It changed the game. We were 1-0 up and doing okay, although we were disappointed we didn't hold on to the lead for very long. We spoke to Tafty (George Taft, who was adjudged to have committed the foul for the penalty), who said he didn't touch him, the boy dived and he got the ball. We don't seem to be getting the rub of the green at this moment.

"I think if we'd managed to keep eleven players on the pitch, it might have been a different game. They're a good side, pass the ball well, get forward and only a few weeks ago drew with Wrexham here.

"For them it was a case of being patient, and for us it was trying to be resolute. 10 vs 11 is hard and we got beat on a corner which got flicked on, headed back across and then a free shot from around the penalty area, and the final one was a cross from the left side finished off at the far post.

"Whichever way you look at it, you're a man short, you get dragged around and against a team who pass the ball around like they did, it's difficult to play against. The lads are keeping going and I'm sure we'll turn it around."

Speaking about the team, he added: "Caolan Lavery's back seized up and is a little bit tight, and going that extra 45 minutes when you're only ten men is hard and has taken a lot out of the lads."

See more from Tony Daws and Jacob Butterfield on Iron Player.