Stoke came from two goals down after just 23 minutes to beat struggling Scunthorpe 3-2 and go to the top of the Championship.

The visitors led 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium thanks to goals from Martin Paterson and on-loan defender Jack Hobbs.

But Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence (53 and 67) netted either side of Richard Cresswell's 63rd-minute strike to ensure the Potters took the points and climbed to the top.

Things had looked so different early in the game when first Paterson evaded his marker to volley home on seven minutes, then Hobbs headed home an outswinging corner on 23.

Stoke began the second half in determined fashion and got their reward when Lawrence seized on a loose ball to score.

They were back on level terms on 63 minutes when Cresswell volleyed home, though the Iron players were convinced Ricardo Fuller had taken the ball out of play before delivering the cross from which he scored.

And a remarkable turnaround was complete in the 67th minute when Lawrence made the most of another Fuller cross to turn the ball home and send the Potters to the top, while Scunthorpe remain rooted to the bottom.

Sporting Life / Eurosport