Alfie Beestin scored a superb early winner as Scunthorpe chalked up a third straight League Two victory with a win at Colchester in 2021.
Scunthorpe went close in the third minute when Devarn Green ran at the Colchester defence before firing a shot straight at keeper Dean Gerken.
But the Iron took a fifth-minute lead through Beestin, who collected Ryan Loft's assist and ran at the backtracking U's defence before planting a fine shot past the motionless Gerken from more than 20 yards.
Scunthorpe keeper Mark Howard saved Callum Harriott's long-range effort soon after before Colchester were forced into a double change, with injured duo Ben Stevenson and goalkeeper Dean Gerken replaced by Tom Lapslie and Shamal George, who made his first league appearance for the hosts.
Colchester had a penalty appeal early in the second half when Courtney Senior went down under Manny Onariase's challenge in the area, while Harriott's swerving shot was parried by keeper Mark Howard.
Overall playing record for January 29: Played 13, Won 2, Drawn 4, Lost 7, Scored 13, Conceded 25.
| YEAR | COMPETITION | RESULT | IRON SCORERS |
| 2022 | LG 2 | Port Vale 1-0 Iron | |
| 2021 | LG 2 | Colchester 0-1 Iron | Beestin |
| 2005 | LG 2 | Iron 1-1 Boston | Butler |
| 2002 | DIV 3 | Hartlepool 3-2 Iron | Beagrie 2 |
| 2000 | DIV 2 | Bournemouth 1-1 Iron | Dawson |
| 1994 | DIV 3 | Darlington 2-1 Iron | Carmichael |
| 1991 | FLT R2 | Iron 1-4 Preston | Flounders |
| 1983 | DIV 4 | Iron 0-0 Wimbledon | |
| 1972 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-0 Newport | Davidson |
| 1966 | DIV 3 | Iron 2-4 Hull | Colquhoun, Ash |
| 1965 | DIV 3 | Iron 0-1 Carlisle | |
| 1964 | DIV 2 | Southampton 7-2 Iron | Sloan, Hodgson |
| 1955 | DIV 3N | Iron 1-1 Chester | Brown |
