MARK Duffy has called for his Scunthorpe United team-mates to help out the club's strikers after another barren attacking pre-season display yesterday.

Although Chris Dagnall's injury-time equaliser took the Iron's Lincolnshire Senior Cup semi-final at Lincoln City into a penalty shoot-out – where they were beaten 4-3 on spot kicks – it masked another disappointingly poor display from a United side who hope to be serious top six contenders in League One when the new campaign gets underway in less than a fortnight's time.

Since scoring seven times against Bottesford Town and three at Winterton days later, Scunthorpe have mustered just two goals in three games with defeat at FC Halifax Town and a draw at Sincil Bank sandwiching last week's single-goal success at Gainsborough Trinity.

Much more concerning though is the lacklustre performances, with yesterday's labelled 'sluggish' by concerned manager Alan Knill.

Duffy says every Iron player is going to have to really dig in this term to try to get on the scoresheet.

"The gaffer expects the midfield and defence to chip in with goals and that includes myself," said Duffy.

"Set pieces are a big part of the game nowadays and everyone has got to help out because the forwards aren't going to score every week.

"We have been creating chances, we had a few during the middle of the second half at Lincoln and Daggers (Chris Dagnall) managed to grab one at the end, but we have to convert them.

"The gaffer wants loads of movement from the front four."

United have just two more pre-season games to try to eradicate their sloppiness, with Wednesday's trip to League Two side Rotherham United followed by their only home pre-season game with Barnsley.

Duffy accepts his side has much to work on, with the Blue Square Premier League Imps looking much hungrier for success yesterday.

"Pre-season has been good, but the gaffer sets his standards high and wants to win every game," added the former Morecambe wide man.

"We do as well, but unfortunately today we never really turned up.

"It's no disrespect to Lincoln, but we should really be winning at places like this.

"The first half was probably the most disappointing. We never passed the ball quick enough and struggled a little bit.

"The second half went a little bit better. We saw enough of the ball, we just didn't do enough to test Lincoln.

"That's one of the things we need to work on, that penetrating pass and switching play.

"That's what the gaffer has been telling us, but really it's down to the players."