BELIEF is a commodity that can be in short supply during a relegation dogfight.

Defeats, in stark contrast, arrive in abundance – the pair do not go hand in hand.

TOWER OF STRENGTH: Michael Nelson holds his own against Cardiff's Jay Bothroyd in Scunthorpe United's 1-0 defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium. Picture: David Haber.

But for Scunthorpe United, the manner of their 1-0 loss at Cardiff City, their 18th of the campaign, provided at least a boost of sorts to their survival push.

Although Seyi Olofinjana's 85th minute header ensured the points tally remained the same, the Iron put in a defensive performance of solidity and resilience that has been all too infrequent this season.

United had conceded 21 goals in the seven games prior to their trip to South Wales.

But for 84 minutes of Saturday's encounter, it looked as if an eighth clean-sheet was on the cards.

It was not to be for Michael Nelson and his team-mates.

But the former Norwich City defender believes Scunthorpe can take plenty of positives out of the display.

"We can take belief from the game," Nelson told the Telegraph.

"Cardiff have got a very good side, but we have limited them to very few chances.

"It showed with the changes they made – they brought Jon Parkin on and took Craig Bellamy off, and had two big lads up front.

"They just tried to go long. That was a credit to us for stopping them playing through us.

"Not many teams are going to come here and last 85 minutes without conceding a goal.

"So we try to take the positives out of it and make sure, if we are in that position again, we see it right through to the end of the game.

"That is what the Championship is all about – it just takes one moment. Teams only need one chance and they take it."

There is no time to dwell on their late Welsh heartbreak, with promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest at Glanford Park in three days time.

It is a game Nelson is expecting the Iron will be more attack-minded for, after opting for a counter-attacking style at the free-scoring Bluebirds.

"It looks like we came and camped in here against Cardiff, but we didn't work on anything during the week to say we are going to sit back and go for a 0-0," added the 30-year-old.

"We came with a plan to, when we got the ball, get it out wide to Mark Duffy and Joe Garner and try to expose them. It is very hard to go anywhere and sit back for 90 minutes.

"At times we had to be defensive because of the pressure we were under, but in the home game against Forest we will push on more.

"The impetus is on us to do that with us being at home."