Marine suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Scunthorpe after conceding two late goals at the Marine Travel Arena.
The Mariners had the chance to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season against a Scunthorpe side who had only managed two wins out of their last nine in all competitions.
It was the last home game before Christmas for Marine and their fans must have thought it had come early after taking an early lead and dominating most of the game against a club who were playing in the Championship 13 years ago. However, a late turnaround for the away side cost Marine the three points they have desperately been looking for.
The Mariners started the game much better of the two sides and continued that theme for most of the game.
They came close to scoring early in the first half after a Finlay Sinclair-Smith chipped effort caught Scunthorpe keeper Ross Fitzsimons off guard. However, Tyler Denton was able to head the ball off the line.
The home side opened the scoring in the 17th minute after Harvey Gregson helped the ball find Leigh Whelan who was waiting on the edge of Scunthorpe’s 18-yard box. The midfielder was able to find the bottom corner after a well struck shot.
Marine continued the first half how they started it after the goal, creating the much better chances and not allowing Scunthorpe any way back into the game.
Calum Agius had the chance to double the lead after great play from Kallan Murphy to chase down a long ball and keep it in, before delivering a good cross which Agius hit first time. However, he failed to make a meaningful connection and the ball rolled wide of the post.
The Iron failed to launch any sort of response to going a goal behind, with the Marine defence able to deal with their rare attacks comfortably.
Scunthorpe started the second half a lot better, with the Mariners happy to sit back and defend their lead.
The visitors missed a great opportunity to equalise in the 65th minute when forward, Callum Roberts, danced around Marine defenders in the penalty area before blasting his effort over the bar from close range.
Four attacking substitutions were made in quick succession for Scunthorpe as they threw everything at Marine, looking for a way back into it. This came in the 80th minute after Danny Whitehall won a penalty after having his shirt tugged in the box. Whitehall picked himnself up to convert the spotkick and level matters.
The striker found the winner 10 minutes later after Joe Mattock miscued his clearance on the edge of his own box, allowing Whitehall an easy shot which he slotted past Matty Corran to steal the three points.
