Scunthorpe 1-0 Bristol Rovers: Neal Bishop scores stoppage-time winner

Saturday 11 November 2017 18:43, UK

Neal Bishop headed home a stoppage-time winner as Scunthorpe left it late to secure a 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers.

The midfielder stole into the penalty area to meet a ball in from the right and end the resistance of a stubborn Rovers rearguard.

The Iron undoubtedly showed more attacking intent in a largely uninspiring affair, but for much of the match lacked the necessary quality in the final third to penetrate a well-organised back four.

Having started brightly, with Rory Gaffney firing into the side netting and Chris Lines unable to keep the ball down with a shot from range, the Pirates looked capable of taking the game to their hosts.

But as time wore on, and Scunthorpe began to get on top, the visitors defended deep and in numbers.

Rovers had a let off when a header from centre-back Tom Broadbent - after he had beaten his own keeper to the ball - fizzed wide of the post and soon after Lee Brown slid in to deny Lee Novak's angled shot after the Iron man had rounded Adam Smith.

When Scunthorpe substitute Paddy Madden skied a shot into the stand as the game entered stoppage time, it looked like the hosts' opportunity for a winner had gone with it.

But up popped Bishop right at the end to secure his side all three points.