The Iron turned in, perhaps, their best away display of the season to see off promotion-chasing Watford at Vicarage Road.

A Paul Hayes header midway through the second half sealed a thoroughly-deserved 1-0 victory for Scunthorpe - their first on the road since December.

They created the most chances and were on top, as their young stars excelled against the Hornets.

This result means United have secured 23rd place, and it bodes well for next year's League One campaign.

The Iron entered the match making two changes from the team which beat Cardiff City at Glanford Park last week.

Ian Morris started in place of Jim Goodwin, who was struggling with a hamstring injury, while Ben May came in up front for Martin Paterson, who is to have a hernia operation on Tuesday.

Scunthorpe may have had nothing to play for but pride, but they were hoping to cause an upset against a Watford side chasing promotion to the Premiership.

With a play-off place still to be secured, it was the home team that pressed in the opening few minutes although they didn't really test United goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Morris had the first chance for the visitors on four minutes but he curled his effort over the crossbar.

The hosts continued to attack but, despite winning several corners, they still struggled to test the away team.

The Iron were presented with a great opportunity to open the scoring on 22 minutes when Jack Cork's weak shot fell into the path of Paul Hayes, whose curled effort from the edge of the 18-yard box was saved by Richard Lee.

It was the visitors who looked most likely to go ahead, and a lack of communication between Watford stopper Lee and Jay DeMerit very nearly resulted in Jonathan Forte slotting the ball in. However, DeMerit recovered and the ball went out for a corner.

Murphy saved well from Tommy Smith's header after a Jobi McAnuff cross, and then May had a low drive saved well by Lee after dribbling into space on the edge of the penalty area.

Scunthorpe were forced into a substitution on the stroke of half-time when Matt Sparrow came on for the injured Kevan Hurst, who fell awkwardly after challenging Jordan Stewart.

It was the last incident of note in the opening period, a half which the Iron were on top of for the majority.

Watford came storming out for the second half, and began it in a similar manner to which they started the first. United weathered the storm of set-pieces though, and - from a corner - Forte fired just wide three minutes in. He had won it after Lloyd Doyley skewed a cross over his own crossbar.

Ben May then hit the sidenetting from an inswinging Morris corner shortly afterwards as the visitors continued to hold the upper hand.

Nigel Adkins' men kept up their pressure, as Forte headed wide from a Hayes cross. Boos were ringing out across Vicarage Road from the home following as the Iron frustrated the hosts.

With the pressure off, the Iron were playing some excellent football - arguably their best since the first two months of the season - and Morris was next to come close with a chip from the edge of the penalty area.

Finally, on 69 minutes, came the breakthrough Scunthorpe deserved, as Forte charged down the left on the break after a Watford corner, beating Doyley, and sent the ball across for Hayes, who headed in from six yards to the delight of the good following from North Lincolnshire behind the goal. After his two goal burst against Cardiff last week, this proved to be his sixth of the season.

Aidy Boothroyd's team charged forward after the goal but were still struggling to create worthwhile opportunities.

Morris had a chance to double Scunthorpe's lead, but it was tipped wide by Lee.

Nathan Ellington, on as a substitute for the Hornets, had their best chance of the game so far on 78 minutes when he headed wide from a Smith cross. Murphy had it covered though.

United made their second change of the afternoon with four minutes left as Peter Winn replaced Forte. It was the young striker's second run-out in two weeks.

Two minutes later, the match-winner Hayes was replaced by Curtis Weston as the away team added more fresh legs to their attack.

Referee Andy D'Urso gave four minutes of added time, but Scunthorpe comfortably held on for three impressive points, holding the ball up well and stopping the hosts - who had shoved centre-back Danny Shittu up front - from playing.

The Iron have a great chance to finish the season with a third successive win when bottom-placed Colchester United visit Glanford Park next Sunday (2pm kick-off).