Scunthorpe United 3-3 Colchester United
Report from Glanford Park

A brace from Paul Hayes snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat for the Iron as they drew 3-3 at home to Colchester.

The forward, who scored the winner against the U's at Layer Road earlier this season, netted twice in the second-half, after Colchester had gone 3-1 up, to earn a point for the hosts.

The visiting team had gone ahead through Kevin McLeod, but Jonathan Forte soon levelled.

After a two-goal blast from Vernon and McLeod at the start of the second period, it seemed that all three points would be heading down to Essex.

But Hayes had the final say, with two efforts from inside the area restoring parity.

After the game, the players did a lap of honour to thank the fans for their support this season.

The Iron entered the match making just one alteration from the team which won 1-0 at Watford a week earlier.

Matt Sparrow replaced Kevan Hurst, who was suffering from a hamstring injury, on the right-wing.

Both sides were already down but had ambitions of finishing the season with a win, and on a high.

A decent-sized crowd packed into Glanford Park turned up to see what was ultimately an end-of-season match with nothing at stake but pride.

Scunthorpe were having the better of the opening stages and four minutes in, Paul Hayes collected the ball and dribbled into space before having a shot blocked out for a corner,

Then, from the subsequent set-piece by Morris from the right-wing, Andy Butler headed wide.

There was then a setback as the visitors went ahead on 11 minutes as the tricky Kevin Lisbie's cross from the left was headed past Joe Murphy past Kevin McLeod.

It was not the start Scunthorpe wanted, and the away team had a great chance to double their lead a minute later when Karl Duguid rattled the post in an almighty game of pinball in the Iron penalty area.

Nevertheless, United were undeterred and levelled on 15 minutes when Forte turned in Sparrow's low cross from the right wing from close range for his fourth strike of the season.

BACK OF THE NET: Jonathan Forte celebrates his strike.

After that, the match entered a quiet spell in which neither side attacked in the manner they had earlier threatened.

Johnnie Jackson had a header saved after a cross by McLeod, while Lisbie's audacious attempt just cleared the crossbar.

Both sides had half-chances as the first period reached its climax, but that was all they were as the two teams went in level at the interval.

The U's were to go ahead two minutes after the restart though when Vernon's sublime overhead kick from 12 yards, after a free-kick from the right by Jackson, beat Murphy.

Then, just a minute later, they doubled their lead through McLeod, again, who fired past the Scunthorpe stopper from 25 yards in front of the decent loyal following from Essex.

United could have pulled a goal back on 50 minutes when Ben May got on the end of a cross by Sparrow but had his effort saved by Dean Gerken. Forte's follow-up was also blocked as the Iron searched for a way back into the game.

The hosts then had another chance just four minutes later when Morris' corner from the left found Butler, whose header was tipped over the crossbar.

The Iron looked out of sorts in truth, passes weren't sticking and their luck also appeared to be out. A shot by May which flashed just wide of the goalkeeper's left-hand post from the edge of the penalty area on 65 minutes epitomised that.

But, three minutes later, they managed to pull a goal back when Hayes got on the end of a cross by Morris on the left to volley home from close range, and give the home team a fighting chance of still getting something from the game.

On 75 minutes, Butler had a great chance to level matters, but prodded wide of goal after a Morris throw-in had caused danger in the visitors' six-yard box.

The ever-dangerous Lisbie weaved his way into space and curled an effort over for the visitors, who remained a threat on the break.

Butler almost scored after Byrne's deep cross, but couldn't quite reach the ball. There was then a change for the hosts as Peter Winn came on for Morris.

And Nigel Adkins' team managed to equalise on 82 minutes when Hayes capitalised on uncertainty at the back by the visitors to cut in, round Gerken and then poke the ball into an empty net for his eighth goal of the season.

LEVELLER: Paul Hayes rounds Dean Gerken to make it 3-3.

Jack Cork bid farewell to the Iron supporters on 88 minutes when Jack Cork was replaced by Grant McCann. The Chelsea loanee received a standing ovation from the United support, who were appreciative of his efforts this season.

It was the last real action of the afternoon as the game ended 3-3.

THANK YOU: The players thank the supporters for their efforts this season, and vice versa.

A busy summer lies ahead as Scunthorpe prepare to bounce back into the Championship from League One next season.

The new campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 9.

Sponsors' man of the match: Ben May.

Attendance: 5,554 (387 away).