TRY as they might, Scunthorpe United just could not find a winning goal against Derby County as the two struggling sides battled to a goal-less draw.

The Iron were unable to make the most of a dominant first half in which they put the Rams under considerable pressure, though both teams could point to disallowed efforts at Glanford Park.

Looking to make it back-to-back wins after a morale-boosting result in midweek, United manager Ian Baraclough made just two changes for the Championship clash.

Chris Dagnall’s strike had been the deciding factor against promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, but he didn’t even make the substitutes’ bench against Derby after picking up a knock.

He was replaced up front by loan striker Joe Garner, who had been unable to play against his parent club, but returned to partner Lee Miller.

And there was also no place for Eddie Nolan, struggling with a calf injury, with Andrew Wright stepping in at right-back.

The hosts made a bright start on a poor Glanford Park pitch, despite some early forays forward from County.

Winger Mark Duffy proved a menace all afternoon, and he almost helped set United on their way inside the first few minutes, causing problems from a free-kick wide on the left.

Miller eventually managed to get a toe to the set-piece but could only find the upright before the ball bobbled behind.

Duffy’s subsequent corner also wreaked havoc proved, finding the head of Michael Nelson, who forced Stephen Bywater to tip his powerful effort over the bar.

It was a promising opening from United and with 15 minutes played, they felt they should have been awarded a penalty.

Andy Hughes mounted a strong appeal when he was prevented from reaching Duffy’s inviting cross by Gareth Roberts, but referee Scott Mathieson waved those claims away.

By contrast, chances were at a premium for the visitors. Jamie Ward and Steven Davies both tried to open the Iron up with some crosses in to the box, but to no avail as County showed a lack of conviction going forward.

The former then looked to catch Scunthorpe on the break, latching on to a through-ball and running at the defence, but his poorly-struck attempt at goal failed to trouble Iron keeper Josh Lillis as he dragged it wide.

United continued to attack at every opportunity and forged a great opening when Garner found Josh Wright in the box. The Iron midfielder though, couldn’t get his shot away in time and Shaun Barker pounced to snatch the ball from under his nose.

It proved to be a frustrating first 45 minutes for Baraclough’s men as they couldn’t make their pressure count before heading into the break.

And it was a rejuvenated Derby who emerged the stronger after the interval.

With the home side clearly tiring from their midweek exertions, the Rams were keen to take advantage and forced their opponents on the back foot.

County thought they had broken the deadlock just two minutes into the second half when Paul Green slotted home Steven Davies’ cross. But the assistant referee put a stop to any celebrations with an off-side flag.

It was an early warning sign Scunthorpe failed to heed as they were caught napping again shortly after.

John Brayford’s dangerous cross found its way back out to Roberts, who went for goal but saw his effort blocked, while Ben Davies’ drive was deflected off target by Paul Reid.

It meant another busy afternoon for Reid and central defensive partner Nelson as their team-mates struggled to get a grip on the game.

The home crowd had to wait until shortly after the hour mark for United to make any significant inroads into County’s half.

But when they did, it almost produced the desired effect.

Duffy showed some fine fancy footwork to jink his way past a couple of defenders and create some space in the box, but his low shot towards the near post was brilliantly stopped by Bywater.

And Scunthorpe then went even closer when Miller found the net with a header, but much to his side’s dismay, he also found the off-side flag.

Looking to finish with a flourish and get that crucial goal, Michael Collins saw a thumping strike blocked by Daniel Ayala, while fellow substitute Abdisalam Ibrahim met the same fate as Miller.

His unstoppable header from Ben Gordon’s cross drew cheers around Glanford Park, only for the assistant referee to bring them to an abrupt end.

It typified the Iron’s frustrations on a miserable afternoon as they were forced to settle for a point and stalemate against the Rams.

SCUNTHORPE: Lillis, A Wright, Nelson, Reid, Gordon, Duffy (Ibrahim 83), Togwell, J Wright (Collins 68), Hughes, Miller, Garner (Grant 78). Unused subs: Slocombe, Raynes, Mirfin, Godden.

DERBY: Bywater, Brayford, Barker, Ayala, Roberts, Green, Addison, Savage, B Davies, Ward (Cywka 71), S Davies (Porter 77). Unused subs: Deeney, Pringle, Doyle, Bueno.

ATTENDANCE: 5,696 (1,332 away)