FULL-TIME: Scunthorpe United 1 Millwall 2
SCUNTHORPE United will be playing League One football next season barring a mathematical miracle, after crashing to their 13th home defeat of the campaign.
A goal in each half from striker John Marquis earned play-off chasing Millwall a hard-earned victory at the expense of the Iron, though substitute Michael O'Connor did provide an 88th minute lifeline from the penalty spot.
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Michael Nelson shows his dejection at the final whistle after a crucial Iron defeat.
Crystal Palace's 1-0 success over Leeds and a draw for Doncaster against Barnsley leaves United six points from safety with only as many remaining this term - but their woeful goal difference sees them needing to overturn a swing of 17 goals if they are to avoid relegation.
And there was something fitting about the fact that this display echoed the reasons why Scunthorpe's two-year stay in the second tier is about to come to an end.
Enterprising enough in the middle of the park, the home side gave away two poor goals and lacked a cutting edge in the opposition penalty area - just as they have for the majority of the campaign.
On-loan striker Joe Garner returned to the starting line-up as the Iron looked to maintain their fight against relegation, which was now reaching a do or die stage.
The Nottingham Forest front man, suspended for last Friday's 1-1 draw at Coventry, was one of two changes made by boss Alan Knill for the visit of the play-off chasing Lions.
The other was an enforced one, at right-back, where Eddie Nolan came in to start his first game in almost a month with Andy Hughes struggling with a groin problem.
Michael Collins kept his place in the centre of midfield, chosen again ahead of Michael O'Connor.
Ten minutes in, the former Huddersfield man worked the first real shooting opportunity of the game, twisting and turning inside the corner of the six yard box only to see his rasping effort fly across the face of goal.
It was the highlight of a bright start by United, who moved the ball around the park quickly and sharply, with Duffy proving a useful outlet on the right flank.
Play was equally as enterprising down the left touchline. And after Nunez had drifted inside to whistle a 25-yard shot only inches over the bar, a clever run by Marcus Williams brought a good save out of visiting keeper David Forde.
Having bossed the opening quarter, Scunthorpe then found themselves having to soak up a first spell of visiting pressure.
Josh McQuoid almost pounced on an error by Michael Nelson, while the lively Andros Townsend jinked his way past numerous challenges as the Lions grew in confidence, only for his final ball to often left him down.
Given the way they had stepped up a gear as an attacking force, it wasn't too much of a surprise when the deadlock was finally broken in the 39th minute.
Joe Murphy had already done well to turn away a deflected shot from James Henry at his near post and when the Iron back four failed to clear their lines, striker John Marquis finished from close range.
Scunthorpe tried to regain some momentum after the break, but could only carve out half chances at best.
And they were left with a mountain to climb just six minutes after the restart, when they gifted the Lions a second goal.
With time to clear the ball properly, Nolan could only succeed in heading a clearance straight to the feet of Marquis and the visiting striker made no mistake with a crisp finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Again the hosts tried to rally, but rarely did they look like getting on the scoresheet.
Substitute Bobby Grant whistled a 25-yard effort well wide in a rare opening and Nunez was a tad unlucky with an effort that was deflected over the bar.
They did get a lifeline, when Garner was bundled over in the box to earn a penalty that Michael O'Connor despatched with ease.
But despite having 60 seconds of normal time, and three minutes of stoppage time, Millwall clung on to pick up a victory which keeps their season's ambitions alive.
Sadly, Scunthorpe cannot say the same.
TEAMS
SCUNTHORPE: Murphy; Nolan (O'Connor 63), Nelson, Mirfin, Williams; Duffy (Grant 63), Togwell, Collins, Nunez; Dagnall, Garner. Subs not used: Lillis, Gordon, Reid, Raynes, Miller.
MILLWALL: Forde; Smith, Robinson, Ward, Craig; Henry, Mkandawire, Abdou, Townsend (Purse 90); McQuoid (Bouazza 77), Marquis (Schofield 77). Subs not used: Mildenhall, Eastmond, Schofield, Hackett, Barron.
ATTENDANCE: 5,190 (335 away).
6 Comments
by Conference 4 ever, Cod Head land
Monday, April 25 2011, 9:48PM
“Nil Points,
Did you cheer Scunny's result whilst losing to Altrincham (whoever they are.)
PS - please remind me - what league are the cod eds in?”
by Mike, Bury
Monday, April 25 2011, 8:45PM
“Comiserations to you diehard scunny fans.It was always going to be a tough ask winning 5 out of your last 8 matches to realistly stand a chance of staying up.You got close and from where Knilly started he has to be given the chance to build a brand new team.He does have a winning formula as we are aware of it and have benefited from the players who he has brought in at our club here in Bury.A fantastic day for us Bury fc fans ofcourse.We will meet next season,it's been a long time since we last played each other 10 years or so and we like playing scunny.Good luck with your campaign next season in league 1.It looks like our record breaking caretaker manager Richie Barker doesn't want the job at Gigg lane which is a real shame and our team will no doubt be broken up but it great to experience this promotion.”
by john, scunny
Monday, April 25 2011, 8:43PM
“One thing that might hamper Knills plans could be some of the players under contract who are judged not to be good enough hanging around, will he be able to move them on?(maybe to Grimsby,Barton or Winterton-sponsored by E Morley??????”
by Nil points, Wading across the Humber.
Monday, April 25 2011, 7:45PM
“Shame, mind you've cheered us all up no end in the Pontoon.”
by Chris, Bottesford
Monday, April 25 2011, 7:21PM
“That was a pretty shocking performance in all honesty given the circumstances. Millwall are a very average side and in all probability if they make the play-offs they will probably be trounced by whoever they play home and away. But what they have in their favour is the ability to hang in there and battle, especially in midfield. Fact is we are not mentally strong enough as verified by the obscene number of soft goals let in this season (two more today, Nolan didn't even look interested after that shocking attempt at a clearance). It'd be a shame to see such good servants as Mirfin and Joe Murphy go, but we have replacements already in the squad. Also Josh Wright and Nolan will walk away and a decent offer of £500k+ for O'Connor should be acceptable (as well as Jones going if someone is stupid enough to take him),
The whole club needs a boost from somewhere and on the radio Alan Knill was really holding his tongue over what he thinks the problem is (alluding to a lack of pace and general fight). He knows the problem but we need to find something positive from somewhere, lots of loanees returning to their parent clubs, another problem as typically they have not performed well (note that Freddie Sears absolutely destroyed Ashley Cole at the weekend).
Incidentally does anyone know if we get additional income from Southampton and Celtic for their respective promotions and championships? If so we should really be keeping our fingers crossed because that money could be very useful.
But what it all boils down to is a long list of players who probably haven't done enough this season, and Alan Knill certainly knows who they are. Nowhere to hide now boys,”
by john, scunny
Monday, April 25 2011, 6:55PM
“We now know our fate.I feel sure Alan Knill will know what direction we need to be going in.WILL HE BE ALLOWED TO DO IT.Hope he gets the full backing of the club.Clear out ones that are not good enough,and the long term crocks.Hope Jones has impressed at Sheffield,we may get a few bob for him, to spend on new players.I wish you and the team all the very best for next season & hpoe for a successful div 1 UP THE IRON”