Second goal is coming, insists Scunthorpe United manager Alan Knill

Manager Alan Knill insists there is no cause for concern over his side's lack of goals in games.

Not since March – a run of 19 league matches – have Scunthorpe United found the net more than once in a single outing.

On Saturday, it was Karl Hawley's turn as his header saw the Iron come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Swindon Town.

Although the hosts were reduced to 10 men with little over half an hour gone, both sides had chances to snatch a winner, leaving Knill encouraged ahead of Tuesday's visit of Preston North End.

"I'm not worried because we're creating chances to get the second goal," said the Scunthorpe boss.

"If we hadn't created anything then, yes, I'd be worried, but we're creating chances and we think we've got the quality, eventually that second goal is coming.

"Obviously we want more points but it was just so important not to lose yesterday.

"After Brentord at home (a 1-1 draw), Swindon away, probably no-one's looking at us to win and the good thing is we didn't lose.

"And we had opportunities in both games to win it, so that's the positives we'll take forward.

"Now we can do with exactly the same at home, be positive at home against Preston and get them three points.

"It's just important that we came away with something."

Knill was impressed with his team's patience as they battled to break down a resilient Swindon side.

James Collins slotted the Robins in front from close range after 18 minutes, before Aden Flint was given his marching orders after two yellow cards for two challenges on Leon Clarke.

Eager to hang on to their lead, the home side defended in numbers but a cross from Mark Duffy was headed home by Hawley shortly after the interval.

"We went behind against the run of play," said Knill.

"We came out and said straight away, let's not sit back, let's go and play. We were the team in the ascendancy then we concede a poor goal.

"From the edge of their box they go all the way down the other end. We think one of the passes to the player is offside but we don't get it.

"Even so, inbetween that we should have done enough to stop it.

"But credit to the players, it's quite difficult when the opposition go to 10 men because they've got everybody behind the ball but you have to try to continue to pass it.

"You can't just launch it because they want you to and they're equipped for that.

"The players were patient, moved it around and it was a great goal to equalize.

"At 1-0 you think, 'here we go', the crowd were up, but to be fair, two bookables – and they were bookables – kind of turns it back towards us.

"It was difficult to break them down but when you get those opportunities you've got to take them.

"I think both managers will probably be happy to take a point in the end, but at the same time both will be thinking it could easily have been three.

"We had some opportunities to make it 2-1. You think, if we take one of them they have to come out and it gives us an opportunity then to counter, but we didn't.

"When you look at their team, their squad and the players they've got, you're always worried because they've got some quality as well, even with 10 men.

"In the end, they had a couple of opportunities as well."