Scunthorpe United 1 - 1 Rochdale: Scunthorpe end goal drought but have to settle for a point

Posted Tuesday, December 29, 2015 by PA

Scunthorpe's first goal in four home games was only enough to earn them a point as they drew 1-1 in a fiercely-fought clash with Rochdale.

It came in the 33rd minute when centre-back David Mirfin headed home from a free-kick into the box from Scott Laird.

Scunthorpe had started brightly but it was Rochdale who snatched a 22nd-minute lead against the run of play.

Peter Vincenti cut in from the right to get in a shot that was diverted into the net on the edge of the six-yard box by skipper Ian Henderson with the home defence left appealing in vain for offside.

Both teams might have gone in with a half-time lead. First Scunthorpe's leading marksman Paddy Madden was denied his 15th goal of the season when his close-range header was brilliantly turned over the top by goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira.

Then, in stoppage-time, Rochdale forward Calvin Andrew almost sneaked another close-range header past home goalkeeper Luke Daniels.

In a feisty second half, there was plenty of effort from both teams as they searched for a winner - and chances came at both ends.

Rochdale almost got one in the 67th minute when a free-kick from Donal McDermott took a deflection in a crowded box and forced a great save from Daniels to turn it away.

Substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing also went close as the visitors stepped up the pressure in the closing stages.

But it was Scunthorpe who went closest to a winner in the 80th minute when substitute Darius Henderson fired against the foot of a post from a great cross from Scott Wiseman.