Crystal Palace earned new manager Neil Warnock only his second point from his four games in charge of the Eagles.
The match was always set to end goalless in a defence-dominated affair with few chances at either end.
Scunthorpe, looking for their first win in four home games, started brightly with teenage defender Jack Cork testing goalkeeper Julian Speroni with a long-range effort.
The home side then faded as Palace came more into the picture but the visitors also struggled to find much success in and around the box.
It was not until just before the interval that centre-back Mark Hudson had their first effort at goal with a shot on the turn from inside the box that went straight at keeper Joe Murphy.
It was a similar pattern in the second half with both defences still in control.Andy Crosby and Andy Butler were towers of strength at the back for Scunthorpe while Hudson and Jose Fonte were the main men at the back for Palace.
Midfield man Jim Goodwin did go close for Scunthorpe with a volley from the edge of the box that Speroni was happy to see finish just inches wide of the target.
During the second period Palace introduced all their three permitted substitutes to try and snatch victory. They included 15-year-old John Bastock in midfield, making only his second appearance for the club.
The Londoners piled on the pressure in the closing stages and might have snatched a winner in the 82nd minute when centre-back Hudson found space again in the box to fire in a shot that was just a whisker wide.
Palace also introduced striker Clinton Morrison from the bench but he never looked like getting the one goal he needs to reach the 100 mark for the club.
He had one chance with a header from 12 yards but it finished well wide of the target as the game ended goalless.