Garry Thompson's second-half piledriver got Scunthorpe United back to winning ways in one of their most important matches of the season.

The Iron striker rifled the ball into the top corner from almost 30 yards out in the 64th minute to produce a moment worthy of winning any match, let alone one between two of League One's lowest placed teams.

The goal, Thompson's third in five matches, was no more than the home deserved, in a match in which they made most of the running only to again lack a ruthlessness in front of goal.

The new-look Iron, who made four changes to the side that started their last league match, three weeks previously, dominated possession, but struggled to carve out much that threatened visiting keeper Peter Kurucz.

One of their three debutants, Jon Parkin, added strength to the home front-line, playing in the centre of a three-pronged attack.

But during a tense first-half he was too often isolated, with only the support of a flooded midfield able to offer a hand, by which time, Dale had got back in numbers to further frustrate their hosts.

It was a match which provided the perfect reflection of both sides' fortunes this season.

Scunthorpe had League One's worst home record while Dale have picked up fewer points than anybody on their travels. It was easy to see why.

Sam Togwell flicked a header over the bar from a Josh Walker cross in the 19th minute and Thompson planted a similar effort straight into the arms of keeper Kurucz soon after.

As chances go, they were the best either side could muster during a tepid opening 45 minutes.

There was though at least one bright spot for the Iron - the return of centre-back David Mirfin, who failed to put a foot, or a header, wrong when Dale pushed forward.

Thankfully, a few more followed his lead after the break.

Now attacking the Doncaster Road End, the Iron began the second period with much more purpose.

A couple of tasty Parkin challenges got the crowd going and he then did the same to the home side's play with his skills, neatly laying the ball off to Thompson, who drove an angled effort wide of the target, before then testing Kurucz himself.

For all their control, United almost gifted Dale a goal on the hour mark.

Skipper Gary Jones broke from midfield and whistled in a shot that the previously under-worked Slocombe could only parry. 

Luckily for the home side, the onrushing Nicky Adams, albeit under pressure from on-loan Wolves full-back Jamie Reckord, could not maintain enough composure to stab the ball into an empty net, instead skewing it wide with the goal gaping.

It was to prove a costly miss, the sort of profligacy for which United have so often been punished this term.

Within four minutes, Scunthorpe had instead broken the deadlock – courtesy of Thompson's 30-yard screamer.

Never mind unleashing The Beast, the nickname which hads followed Parkin for the past six years, the Iron could do to see more of the striker's left foot.

Dale stepped up and United were sucked back in the final quarter, but held firm for a first clean sheet in seven games and a first home victory in three months.

Having been grateful to their fans for clearing the pitch, to ensure the game went ahead, the Iron rewarded such efforts by clearing the relegation zone.

They have also provided a platform upon which they must now build.

SCUNTHORPE: Slocombe; Ribeiro, Mirfin, Reid, Reckord; Togwell, O'Connor (Mozika 81), Walker; Duffy (Barcham 72), Parkin, Thompson. Subs not used: Byrne, Robertson, Grant.

ROCHDALE: Kurucz; Darby, Amankwaah, Long, Widdowson; Kennedy, Jones, Barry-Murphy (Tutte 71); Adams (Thompson 86), Grimes (Symes 58), Akpa-Akpro. Subs not used: Lucas, Holden.

ATTENDANCE: 3,409 (267 away).

Pictures: Scunthorpe Utd 1 Rochdale 0