Championship - Scunthorpe salvage dramatic point

Eurosport - Sat, 26 Sep 14:54:00 2009

Scunthorpe United rescued a point against neighbours Doncaster Rovers in their Championship clash at Glanford Park after the visitors were reduced to nine men.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 League One Play-Off final Scunthorpe players celebrate Martyn Woolford's late winner - 0

A first-half penalty from Martin Woods and a goal from former Iron striker Billy Sharp looked to have secured only Doncaster's second win of the season and send their fans back down the M180 with all three points.

But, after John Oster was sent off with little over 20 minutes remaining, substitute Cliff Byrne headed in just three minutes later to give Nigel Adkins's side hope.

Quinton Fortune was handed Rovers' second sending off for a foul on Byrne, and Woods conceded a penalty in injury time when he handled McCann's cross.

The midfielder took the pressure kick himself, and sent Neil Sullivan the wrong way to score his fourth goal in as many games and ensure a share of the points.

The draw leaves Rovers with just one win from the past nine, while Scunthorpe stretch their unbeaten run to four league games.

Doncaster made the brighter start and their fast, one-touch passing was causing Scunthorpe some trouble from the start.

Mark Wilson had a low drive go just wide of the post and it was another slick passing move that saw Rovers take the lead in the 13th minute.

Oster, Woods and Sharp all interchanged passes around the Scunthorpe penalty area and when the ball fed into Jamie Coppinger, he was taken down from behind by Jordan Spence.

Woods stepped up to fire the resulting spot-kick past Joe Murphy.

Rovers continued to press and Coppinger fired over from eight yards after a fine piece of work from former Scunthorpe striker Sharp and then Woods flashed a 25-yard effort just wide.

Scunthorpe, who were disrupted by having to make two substitutions inside the opening 35 minutes, offered little as an attacking force, with Sam Togwell's header their only real effort on goal.

And in first-half injury time, Rovers should have doubled their lead when Woods slipped Coppinger clear on goal but his low drive was saved by the feet of Murphy.

Scunthorpe were much-improved in the opening exchanges of the second period but they could not create any telling chances and Doncaster doubled their lead just after the hour mark.

Coppinger was brought down on the right wing and Woods curled in a wicked free-kick that Sharp rose to meet and powered a header home to register his first goal for the club.

Scunthorpe were then given a glimmer of hope when Rovers were reduced to 10 men after Oster was given a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident on McCann.

And they soon made the most of their numerical advantage when Byrne headed home McCann's corner with 19 minutes remaining.

Glanford Park was rocking as Scunthorpe went all out for the equaliser.

Byrne, Paul Hayes, Josh Wright and Garry Thompson all had good chances to earn a point, but Neil Sullivan saved well on two occasions.

Doncaster's battle for a win was made even tougher when Fortune was dismissed for a challenge on Byrne, and they could not hold on, with McCann having the last say from 12 yards after Woods had charged down a corner with his arm.

Tony Mabert / PA Sport

Comment 1 - 4 of 4

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  1. UP THE IRON!!!

    From Brighton White, on Sun 27 Sep 7:45PM
  2. Typical loutish scummy mentality...comment 1

    From Barry, on Sun 27 Sep 9:34AM
  3. BILLY IS THE NEW SUPER HERO FOR DONNY COME ON YOU REDS

    From dawn.ashman, on Sat 26 Sep 9:20PM
  4. SUPER IRON, MIGHTY IRON, Billy was once a hero now­ after doing what he did he can ram it, KEOGH SHAGGED YA­ MISSUS LA LA LA LA!!!!!

    From toofrag, on Sat 26 Sep 7:51PM
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