SCUNTHORPE United were plunged deeper into the relegation mire with a biggest home defeat for nearly 16 years.

But despite now being marooned seven points adrift of safety, manager Ian Baraclough insists he still has belief that the Iron can survive.

To do that though, they are going to need a minor miracle after 10 defeats in their last 12 Championship games.

But Baraclough emerged defiant from a 25-minute dressing room inquest after his new-look side crashed to a 5-1 defeat against local rivals Hull City.

"We have been in there speaking for 20-25 minutes," he said.

"It was not just me and coach Steve Parkin doing the talking.

"We got the lads in speaking to each other to try to get the best out of each other.

"That's why I still have the confidence stood here now, despite this defeat by our local rivals, that we still have enough in there to get us out of trouble.

"I know what sort of characters I have brought into the club. They are strong and I know they will help me get this club out of trouble."

What injury-hit United still lack though is quality, particularly at set-pieces.

Only winger Mark Duffy looked capable of providing any decent service, with his 55th minute free-kick headed home by Joe Garner to get the Iron back in the game against the Tigers.

"Our delivery at set-pieces was not nearly good enough, Baraclough confessed.

"When we got our big men forward the ball in to them was very disappointing.

"I thought our front two (Joe Garner and Lee Miller) showed some promising signs, but again, the quality of service we got to them could have been better."

The United boss insists his side have got to be brave enough to make mistakes and big enough to overcome them when they do.

"I want them to have a confidence and belief that, when on the ball, they can make something happen," he said.

"Don't be afraid to do it. You are allowed to make mistakes. We all are.

"If you do make a mistake, then put it to one side and try to get it right next time."

But Baraclough knows United have got to find a way of turning the downward momentum which they have been stuck with since early November.

And with the next couple of games against two of the biggest teams in the Championship, that is going to be a tall order.

They travel to Cardiff City next Saturday and that is followed by a re-arranged home game with Nottingham Forest the following Wednesday.