THE gap to safety was narrowed to just three points as Scunthorpe United clinched a vital 2-1 victory at survival rivals Crystal Palace.

A David Mirfin header and a superb shot from Ramon Nunez either side of half-time ended a miserable run of nine successive defeats on the road for the Iron.

And although Sean Scannell reduced the deficit in an action-packed encounter which saw both Joe Garner and Palace’s goalscorer sent off, United hung on to claim a crucial win.

Looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Reading in midweek, Iron boss Alan Knill made two changes for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Having been forced to come off at half-time against the Royals with a thigh injury, there was no place in the matchday squad for Michael O’Connor, with Michael Collins taking his place. And there was a first appearance for left-back Marcus Williams since rejoining his former club on loan, leaving Ben Gordon confined to the substitutes’ bench.

Fully aware the clash against the side directly above them in the table could prove season-defining, the visitors ensured they were quick out of the blocks.

Within 20 seconds of kick-off they came close to breaking the deadlock; Nunez offering an early taster of his talents.

The Honduran’s dipping shot from distance caught Julian Speroni off guard and the Palace keeper was forced to tip the ball past the post with a fine save.

Mirfin did his best to keep the attacking momentum going, nodding the ball goalwards from a Nunez free-kick, but, on this occasion, it caused little problem for the Eagles stopper.

In a lively start, the hosts too, proved keen to push forward.

Joe Murphy needed to be at his best to keep out a fierce effort from the impressive James Vaughan, while Darren Ambrose blasted over the crossbar.

Although Scunthorpe enjoyed sporadic periods of possession, with play swinging end to end, Vaughan squandered another good opportunity for Palace, firing wide after twisting his way through the Iron defence.

It was a miss which proved costly as, with 25 minutes on the clock, the visitors snatched the advantage.

Mirfin was on hand at the far post to power home Mark Duffy’s corner and nudge his side in front, silencing a previously buoyant home crowd in the process.

Palace tried to respond when Kagisho Dikgacoi drove the ball through a crowd of players from range, only for Murphy to come to the rescue for United with a good catch.

And the Iron number one was called into action again shortly after the break as the home side came out with intent for the second half.

Ambrose’s curling free-kick from 25 yards needed to be palmed behind, leaving the way clear for United to extend their lead.

Latching on to Duffy’s ball, Nunez showed great control out on the left side of the penalty box, before brilliantly arrowing the ball into the top corner in the 57th minute.

It was a goal which looked to have knocked the stuffing out of the home side, but they got a break with 20 minutes remaining.

Scannell got the better of Andy Hughes down Palace’s left and slotted the ball beyond Murphy to set up a tense finish.

Substitute Bobby Grant tried to ease the pressure with a fine shot which drew Speroni into a full-stretch save, but the hosts continued to pile forward.

The Iron’s cause was then made all the more difficult when Garner was sent off for a second bookable offence with five minutes remaining, while the announcement of eight added minutes of stoppage time drew exclamations of despair from the travelling support.

A rash challenge on Hughes saw Scannell handed his marching orders to even up the numbers once more.

And though Scunthorpe were made to dig in towards the end, they hung on defiantly to give their survival hopes a huge boost.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni; Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Moxey; Danns, Dikgacoi (Zaha 46), Agustien (Counago 77), Ambrose (Scannell 60); Iversen, Vaughan. Unused subs: Price, Davis, Garvan, Easter.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED: Murphy; Hughes, Mirfin, Nelson, Williams; Duffy (Grant 75), Collins, Togwell, Nunez; Dagnall (Miller 89), Garner. Unused subs: Lillis, Gordon, Raynes, J Wright, Reid.