Scunthorpe United 2 - 0 Doncaster Rovers: Scunthorpe too good for local rivals Doncaster

Doncaster slipped deeper into relegation trouble after a 2-0 defeat at local rivals Scunthorpe.

A goal in each half condemned Rovers to their seventh defeat in the last eight games as Scunthorpe bounced back to winning form with their first victory in five games.

Rovers came within a whisker of snatching a third-minute lead when Lynden Gooch curled his shot inches wide of the far post after a good run into the box by Nathan Tyson.

But four minutes later it was Scunthorpe who struck first in their first attack of the game, Tom Hopper racing in at the near post to sweep home an excellent left-wing cross from Conor Townsend.

Another Townsend cross opened up the visitors' defence again, but this time they survived when midfield man Stephen Dawson rifled his shot just wide.

There was no shortage of effort from Doncaster as they tried to claw their way back into the game but they struggled to break down a solid home defence.

It was Scunthorpe who nearly made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Hopper and leading marksman Paddy Madden both tested keeper Thorsten Stuckmann with close-range efforts.

Stuckmann rescued Rovers again early in the second half with another good save from Hopper.

But there was little surprise when Scunthorpe powered 2-0 in front in the 59th minute when centre back David Mirfin headed home from a right wing corner from Jim O'Brien. It leaves Rovers now 11 games without a win.