Byrne scores for Latics on return to Iron
Cliff Byrne scored for Latics on his return to former club Scunthorpe United.
The central defender (pictured) could not have picked a more opportune moment to open his goalscoring account for Latics.
Byrne's goal gave Latics hope after Scunthorpe had opened a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes through goals from Niall Canavan and Mark Duffy.
The central defender (pictured) could not have picked a more opportune moment to open his goalscoring account for Latics.
Byrne's goal gave Latics hope after Scunthorpe had opened a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes through goals from Niall Canavan and Mark Duffy.
There was an enormous cheer from the home fans for Byrne before kick off as the defender returned to the club where he spent almost ten years as a player until last summer.
Latics made a bright start, but it was the Iron who almost snatched an eighth-minute lead.
Karl Hawley wriggled past Byrne on the left and crossed to the far post for Jimmy Ryan to head against the crossbar.
The ball bounced down on to the line with the home players claiming a goal.
Latics had their first chance in the 12th minute when Reece Wabara delivered a great cross from the right, but Matt Smith headed well over.
Karl Hawley broke away on the right and his fierce shot was turned over the crossbar by keeper Dean Bouzanis.
The Iron took the lead from the resulting short corner. Ryan's fierce shot was parried by Bouzanis and Canavan slotted home the loose ball from inside the six-yard box.
And Latics were dealt a further blow four minutes later when the hosts doubled their lead.
Duffy twisted and turned on the left of the box to create an opening out of nothing as he fired low into the far corner of the net.
Latics were dealt another blow midway through the opening period when Cristian Montano left the field on a stretcher after being fouled. He was replaced by Youssouf M'Changama.
Byrne marked his return to Glandford Park with a goal as Latics halved the deficit in the 35th minute.
Wabara's free kick was headed back across the face of goal by Smith for Byrne to apply the finishing touch with a near post close-range header high into the net.
Latics were lucky not to concede a third goal when Bouzanis dropped a Barcham cross, but Ryan shot wide after latching on to the loose ball.
Smith almost equalised moments later with a fine header from a Jose Baxter cross which forced a decent diving save from keeper Sam Slocombe.
Half-time: Scunthorpe United 2, Latics 1.
Latics made a bright start, but it was the Iron who almost snatched an eighth-minute lead.
Karl Hawley wriggled past Byrne on the left and crossed to the far post for Jimmy Ryan to head against the crossbar.
The ball bounced down on to the line with the home players claiming a goal.
Latics had their first chance in the 12th minute when Reece Wabara delivered a great cross from the right, but Matt Smith headed well over.
Karl Hawley broke away on the right and his fierce shot was turned over the crossbar by keeper Dean Bouzanis.
The Iron took the lead from the resulting short corner. Ryan's fierce shot was parried by Bouzanis and Canavan slotted home the loose ball from inside the six-yard box.
And Latics were dealt a further blow four minutes later when the hosts doubled their lead.
Duffy twisted and turned on the left of the box to create an opening out of nothing as he fired low into the far corner of the net.
Latics were dealt another blow midway through the opening period when Cristian Montano left the field on a stretcher after being fouled. He was replaced by Youssouf M'Changama.
Byrne marked his return to Glandford Park with a goal as Latics halved the deficit in the 35th minute.
Wabara's free kick was headed back across the face of goal by Smith for Byrne to apply the finishing touch with a near post close-range header high into the net.
Latics were lucky not to concede a third goal when Bouzanis dropped a Barcham cross, but Ryan shot wide after latching on to the loose ball.
Smith almost equalised moments later with a fine header from a Jose Baxter cross which forced a decent diving save from keeper Sam Slocombe.
Half-time: Scunthorpe United 2, Latics 1.