Scunthorpe United - Previous Meetings

Last updated : 11 March 2005 By Jon Palmer
Steve Torpey put the home side ahead after 12 minutes, heading past Steve Book from six yards after a cross from Gareth Sheldon.

Book distinguished himself with a number of smart saves and the Robins battled back before half-time. Mike Duff's header into the box was met by the head of Grayson. The ball hit the bar and struck the diving goalkeeper on the back before landing in the net. Lee Howells was sent off late on, for a second caution, but there were no further goals and Cheltenham travelled home satisfied with a point.

Scunthorpe visited Whaddon Road for the first time on Tuesday 27 February 2001. A very tight game was decided by Neil Howarth's 70th minute goal. The full-back bundled home an Alsop flick-on at the far post after one of Greg Goodridge's dangerous long throws.

The most entertaining game between the sides to date came the following season at Whaddon Road. Martin Carruthers gave the Iron the lead after 14 minutes capitalising on some hesitant defending. Peter Beagrie then extended his side's lead, beating Book from a tight angle after a good pass from Lee Hodges.

Three minutes later, Jamie Victory pulled one back for the Robins and Lee Howells levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Cheltenham's top scorer Julian Alsop then put his side ahead, tapping in Tony Naylor's cross after good work from Russell Milton on the left-wing. It looked as though Alsop's goal was going to be enough to seal a remarkable comeback, but substitute Brian Quailey rescued a point for Scunthorpe in the final minute. He jumped for a corner with Book and the ball ended up dropping in off Quailey's shoulder.

The six-goal thriller was a superb advert for Division Three football and both sides had chances to win the game.

By the time Cheltenham travelled to Glanford Park later in the season, they had established themselves as serious candidates for automatic promotion and claimed arguably their best win of the season against the Iron.

Steve Book was suspended and replaced by Carl Muggleton and Cheltenham were also without Antony Griffin, Chris Banks and Russell Milton. Loan signing Martyn Lee came in to the side along with Neil Howarth and John Brough.

It was the little and large duo that earned Cheltenham the priceless win. Alsop opened the scoring after 37 minutes, heading home his 25th of a memorable season for the big striker. His partner in crime Tony Naylor made it two after 77 minutes, after receiving the ball from John Finnigan.

Alex Calvo Garcia pulled one back in the dying minutes after good work from Beagrie, but Cheltenham held on despite a tense finish.

Scunthorpe United 1 Cheltenham Town 2, Glanford Park, 30/3/02

Scunthorpe: Evans, Stanton, Jackson, Vaughan, Ridley, Hodges (Graves 81), Sparrow, Calvo-Garcia, Beagrie, Torpey, Jeffrey (Carruthers 68).

Cheltenham: Muggleton, Howarth, Brough, M.Duff, Victory (Jones 87), Yates, Finnigan, Lee, Alsop, Naylor (Tyson 90).

Attendance: 5,086

Referee: A.Bates (Staffordshire).