Just 1,000 Scunthorpe United fans see Iron knocked out of Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Notts County

Scunthorpe United’s winless run continued as they were knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the first hurdle by Notts County, who won 2-1.

The Iron took the lead for the first time this season, courtesy of Mark Duffy in the 11th minute, but the Magpies levelled through Enoch Showunmi just before the break and then sealed their passage through to the next round with a strike from Carl Regan just before the hour mark.

United made a bright start to their first round clash at Glanford Park, showing few signs of a hangover from their 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Mike Grella seemed to benefit from having a strike partner, with Connor Jennings brought in for his first start of the season, while Duffy looked lively down the right wing as United attacked with purpose.

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As early as the fourth minute, the latter showed his intent with a great run down the right. Unfortunately for the hosts, David Prutton’s finish couldn’t match the build-up for quality as he blasted the ball well wide from range.

It proved to be only a temporary let-off for Notts however, as just seven minutes later Scunthorpe took the lead.

Superb link-up play from Prutton and Duffy saw Grella pick up the ball on the right-hand side, where the front man floated in an inviting cross which found Duffy in the area.

The Scouser’s shot needed the help of a deflection to beat Bartosz Bialkowski, but it was no less than Alan Knill’s men deserved after a positive opening few minutes in which they had comfortably contained their visitors.

And buoyed by their goal, United went in search of more.

Although they created few clearcut chances, they did at least show a greater desire to get forward than in previous games.

Jennings came close to making the most of a sloppy backpass, but was just beaten to the ball by Bialkowski, while Jordan Keegan showed promise in midfield.

As the first half wore on though, the Magpies started to threaten.

Francois Zoko and Yoann Arquin both tried their luck, but it was not until the 41st minute when goalkeeper Sam Slocombe was really called into action.

The United shot-stopper showed great skill to tip over a fiercely struck effort from Joss Labadie, but the corner which followed proved decisive.

The home side were caught out once again by a set-piece as Niall Canavan failed to clear and his looping header dropped for Enoch Showunmi to nod home.

The Magpies continued to pull the strings at the start of the second half, a delightful slalom run from Joss Labadie testing the United defence early on.

Scunthorpe responded with a raking long ball forward from Slocombe which found Duffy on the right. The Iron winger’s ball in was cleared, but only as far as Grella, who fired straight at Bialkowski.

Where Grella failed, Regan fared considerably better at the other end.

A nice pass from Andre Boucaud found the roving right-back in the area and he showed his finishing skills by slotting the ball beyond Slocombe in the 58th minute.

United’s challenge faded somewhat after that as County began to stretch their opponents, though without being able to test Slocombe.

There was a late burst of action from the hosts as Jennings and substitute Jimmy Ryan pressed and Canavan headed inches over from a corner, but it wasn’t enough to deny Notts a first win in this competition for 11 years.

SCUNTHORPE: Slocombe; Ribeiro, Mirfin, Canavan, Newey; Duffy (Ryan 68), Gibbons (Hughes 82), Prutton, Keegan (Barcham 68); Jennings, Grella. Unused subs: Severn, Howe.

NOTTS COUNTY: Bialkowski; Regan, Leacock, Liddle, Sheehan; Labadie (Dixon 90+3), Bencherif, Boucaud; Arquin, Showunmi, Zoko (Wholey 90+4). Unused subs: Waite, Speiss, Nangle.

ATTENDANCE: 1,153 (152 away fans).