May 2, 2018 8.32 am This story is over 70 months old

Scunthorpe secure play-off spot by beating Plymouth

Ivan Toney grabbed the second goal to secure victory for Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe secured their place in the League One play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Plymouth. Photo: Paul O'Neill

Goals from Hakeeb Adelakun and Ivan Toney saw Scunthorpe secure their place in the League One play-offs with a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Plymouth on Tuesday night.

The teams went into the game with just two points and one place separating them, but victory in Scunthorpe’s penultimate regular league game of the season moved them up to fifth in the table.

Shrewsbury and Rotherham have also secured their play-off places, with Charlton and Plymouth vying for the final spot.

Scunthorpe’s play-off opponents will be confirmed after the League One fixtures on Saturday, May 5 have been completed.

The Iron opened the scoring against Plymouth after 32 minutes when Adelakun picked up the ball on halfway and, after a great first touch, he ran past a few players before drilling a shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Scunthorpe fans celebrating Hakeeb Adelakun’s goal. Photo: Paul O’Neill

Plymouth tried to respond before half-time, but Graham Carey’s effort was palmed away for a corner by Matt Gilks in the Scunthorpe goal.

At the other end, Josh Morris wasted the chance to double Scunthorpe’s lead when he was denied by visiting goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

Scunthorpe doubled their advantage on the hour mark when Conor Townsend’s cross was met by Toney, who scored with a clever back-heeled finish.

It could have been a bigger scoreline had Scunthorpe captain Rory McArdle not seen his headed goal disallowed for offside.

Scunthorpe will finish the regular league season with the visit of Bradford City to Glanford Park on Saturday, May 5.