Gary Hooper celebrated his 100th career start with a brace as Scunthorpe resoundingly brought Preston's unbeaten start to the new season to an end with a 3-1 win at Glanford Park.

Hooper, who scored 30 goals for the Iron as they sealed promotion from League One last season, was only a substitute for Saturday's 4-0 annihilation of Crystal Palace but made the most of his surprise recall to score twice and create another for Grant McCann as North End's 10-game unbeaten run stretching back to last season was arrested.

As impressive as Hooper was, he was just one of a number of Scunthorpe's players who combined to produce a stunning display of passing football that suggested Nigel Adkins' side may well defy the odds to retain their Championship status this season.

While Preston manager Alan Irvine may not press the panic button after a defeat that was given some respectability by Jon Parkin's consolation, he will surely be alarmed at the display of his defence which was weakened by the loss of Sean St Ledger to Middlesbrough earlier in the day.

Hooper set up McCann to tap home from close range in the 12th minute, before bundling home the second himself shortly before the interval.

The Iron striker then added a third after 53 minutes following a neat through-ball by Michael O'Connor, meaning Parkin's close-range strike counted for little.