Scunthorpe United's hopes of a place in the second round of the FA Cup are far from a 'gimmie', according to assistant boss Chris Brass.

The Iron will be overwhelming favourites to progress after securing a replay with League Two side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

But after seeing them labour to a goal-less draw at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Brass concedes United are making hard work of most things this season.

"It'll be tough and we have to apply ourselves in the same manner we did here," said the former centre-half ahead of the re-match, which will take place at Glanford Park a week on Tuesday.

"It's not a gimmie and we won't be thinking it's going to be an easy game.

"We wanted to come and get the win.

"We'd done our homework on them before the game and watched them on Tuesday at Swindon.

"We knew they were a good side.

"They're a well organised unit and work extremely hard, but in the first half I thought we stopped them getting into the game.

"I'm a little bit disappointed we haven't really had a clear-cut chance or took an opportunity to win the game."

Plus points were thin on the ground on an afternoon in which defences dominated and both sides lacked ideas in and around the opposition penalty area.

But Brass was pleased to avoid slipping up on a potential banana skin – especially seen as Scunthorpe made three changes to their back four, with regular centre-back pairing Shane Duffy (international duty) and Paul Reid (groin) missing.

"It's tough for people like Nels (Michael Nelson) and Niall (Canavan) because you've been given an opportunity and you don't want to fail," said Brass.

"You've got that pressure before you actually step out.

"Credit to them. On the training ground they've both worked extremely hard.

"Wrighty (Andrew Wright) dropped out of the side by default by getting suspended, but he'd been patient and stepped forward today with a good level of performance.

"That's what we want and that's what we expect. We want a level of professionalism so that when you are given an opportunity you step up. If you don't, you've got to wait for that opportunity.

"They've stepped in, helped us keep a clean sheet and given us something to think about.

"As the game went on we got a little bit too stretched for my liking, but within that we did have opportunities we should have capitalised on.

"On reflection, it could potentially have been an upset so we're glad that hasn't happened."