A tight first half saw little goalmouth action in a well contested, competitive half. But Alfie Beestin pounced to give his side a 17th minute lead in a rare scoring opportunity firing in after debutant Saints keeper Jonny Maxted saved from Kian Scales.

Brackley were thwarted three times in the opening exchanges after the interval as first Morgan Roberts’ effort was pushed away by Ross Fitzsimons, then Alfie Bates’ shot was half cleared off the goal-line only for Connor Hall to see Fitzsimons again save well.

Danny Whitehall hit the side netting when through on goal before Beestin doubled his tally on the hour nodding in the simplest of chances from substitute Max Brogan’s free-kick. Andrew Boyce added a third on 72 minutes from another free-kick. Michael Clunan’s deep cross found Boyce who smashed the ball high into the net in front of the packed away terrace giving Iron supporters plenty to cheer.

Brackley created some brighter moments late on but could not find a consolation goal on a disappointing afternoon for home supporters.
Brackley manager Gavin Cowan said. “The result is not what we wanted and the performance needs to be that bit better. The chances at the start of the second half were perhaps a pivot point but full credit to Scunthorpe.”

Brackley Town: Maxted, Lyttle (Lowe 63), Dean, Lilly, Calder, Byrne (Pollock 63), Newton, Roberts, Bates (O’Sullivan 75), Hall (Cross 75), Carline. Subs unused: Gudger.

Scunthorpe United: Fitzsimons, Nicholson, Kouogun, Boyce, Clunan, Beestin (Rowley 81), Whitehall (Fishburn 72), Roberts (Brogan 46), Scales (Evans 88), Denton (Kelly 70), Barrows.

Referee: L Griffiths Assistants: Daniel Clenton and Ben Schofield 4th Official: Harley Hetherington
Attendance: 1195