Centre-back Izzy Iriekpen fired home the winner with half an hour left to play.

The defender had gone forward for a free kick, and was on hand to fire home Gary Hooper’s low cross from close range.

The visitors had gone in front five minutes before the break when Grant McCann’s free kick from 25-yards took a wicked deflection to beat Steve Phillips.

Rickie Lambert headed his 16th goal of the season for Rovers from Craig Disley’s cross, but it was not enough.

Both sides hit the woodwork, the Irons when goalkeeper Phillips fingertipped Martyn Woolford’s 31st-minute shot onto a post, and Rovers through a 35th-minute Lambert free kick that crashed against the crossbar.

Hooper and Iriekpen wasted good second-half chances for Scunthorpe, who edged a close and entertaining contest.