Rory Watson’s penalty heroics earn Scunthorpe a point

Posted Sunday, August 18, 2019 by PA

Scunthorpe shared four goals with Crawley in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Sands Venue Stadium.

The Iron had looked in a good position to claim their first victory of the season when leading 2-1 going into the final quarter, only for Nathan Ferguson’s near-post header to earn the Red Devils a share of the spoils.

In the end, Scunthorpe were indebted to goalkeeper Rory Watson for their point, with a series of fine late saves – one of which kept out a Bez Lubala penalty – denying the visitors a winner.

Crawley squandered an opening inside the first 20 seconds as Watson saved from Ashley Nadesan, but went in front when Lubala drilled home from inside the box in the 20th minute.

Scunthorpe levelled not long after the half-hour mark as Rory McArdle headed in from a corner and 10 minutes into the second half they led after Matthew Lund rifled home from 20 yards.

Crawley hit back with Nathan Ferguson’s equaliser in the 73rd minute – and would have won it but for Watson’s acrobatics.

He got down well to his right to push away Lubala’s 79th-minute spot-kick and later tipped a long-range strike from the same player onto a post.