Match Report

Scunthorpe United grabbed a priceless win to get their play-off hopes back on track, but it was close as Hartlepool twice fought back to level the game.

The Iron won in the end thanks to two goals by Paul Hayes, both made by fellow striker Gary Hooper.

Scunthorpe took the lead on eight minutes with a fluke goal, a curling 25-yard free-kick out on the right by Grant McCann hitting a defender on the back to wrong-foot goalkeeper Jan Budtz before floating into the far corner of the net.

But the home team were soon level with a well-worked goal on 18 minutes. Andy Monkhouse floated in a free-kick from wide on the right and, after it was flicked on by Sam Collins, fellow defender Michael Nelson stooped to head in from close range as Scunthorpe appealed in vain for offside.

Hartlepool's Ritchie Jones cut inside from the right on 27 minutes before sending in a dipping 25-yard shot that just cleared the Scunthorpe bar by inches, while at the other end Henri Lansbury blasted a 15-yarder wide when he should have scored.

Scunthorpe did regain the lead ten minutes into the second half, a real giveaway by the home team as Nelson's back header fell short and Hooper picked it up on the right of the area before crossing low for Hayes to score from a couple of yards.

But Hartlepool came back a second time, sub Daniel Nardiello blasting in from a few yards after chesting down a right-wing cross from Jones that had been missed in the middle.

Scunthorpe regained the lead three minutes later when the Pools defence stumbled again, Hooper blasting a shot against the base of the far post from the right and Hayes was there to prod in the rebound from ten yards.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides