Scunthorpe United FC

Midfielder Alfie Beestin reflected on returning to North Lincolnshire with a point from the Iron’s longest trip of the season, as he celebrated his 25th birthday with the equalising goal.

For the fourth game in succession, United came from behind to take something out of the game, with Beestin’s goal providing the comeback for a positive second half at Plainmoor.

Speaking following the game, he said: “Obviously I was buzzing with the goal and I felt we deserved the win to be honest especially with the chances we had in the second half.

“It’s been a while to be fair and the goal has come on my birthday, so I’m buzzing with it. We had a lot of chances and should have won the game. Tafty has had one cleared off the line, I’ve hit the post and Joe has had one saved, so we’ve had a lot of chances.”

The next step to the Iron’s rejuvenation in recent weeks will be to not fall behind in the first half and to look to reciprocate the second half performances against the likes of Altrincham, Dorking and Torquay into the first half.

Speaking about those games in recent weeks, Beestin continued: “I don’t know what it is. We’ve seemed to start sloppy and then in the second half we turn a gear. We’ve got to start the game how we start the second half. Once we put that right, we will be alright.

“We’ve had to be chasing back recently, but it would be nice to get the first goal. We’ve shown that we can chase back, but we need to show we can go in front and hold onto a lead as well.”

Despite falling behind first in each of the last four games, the midfielder drew on the response that the side has shown in each of those games, and the confidence that is now running through the side on a daily basis.

“You can see the way we’re playing, we are playing a lot more on the ball, and creating a lot of chances,” he stated. 

“The main thing for us is to start from the start.

“I feel like away especially, we need to improve and get the results. I feel like at home we’ve been a lot better so far this season. Hopefully on Tuesday, we can get the win and continue that momentum. We are four unbeaten, so that’s another thing that will boost our confidence.”

Celebrating his seventh goal for the club, Beestin finished by paying tribute to the supporters who were able to make the long trip down to Devon.

He said: “It was brilliant for those fans to come all this way and support us. It helps out massively and all of the boys appreciate it so much.”