Scunthorpe United's Dramatic Fightback Keeps Them in the Championship

Scunthorpe United will be playing Championship football next season after an incredible fightback to draw 2-2 at home to Reading.

The Iron, odds-on favourites to be relegated at the start of the season, needed just one point to ensure survival. They got it in dramatic fashion as two goals in the last 10 minutes hauled them level after the Royals went two up in the second half.

Scunthorpe looked nervous throughout but had their chances; Martyn Woolford volleying against the woodwork in a goalless first half.

Grant McCann rattled the bar moments after the restart with a trademark free-kick and the Iron then suddenly found themselves behind when Alex Pearce's header, which appeared to be going wide, was diverted into his own net by young defender Niall Canavan on 48 minutes.

The Iron could have hit back immediately when Paul Hayes flicked on for Gary Hooper, but the striker, who bagged a hat-trick on Saturday, somehow blazed wide after rounding Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy tipped over a dipping Gylfi Sigurdsson effort to prevent the visitors from doubling their advantage, but the Icelandic midfielder did find the net in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot after Cliff Byrne brought down Jobi McAnuff. Byrne escaped with a yellow card.

Woolford and Matt Sparrow then tested Federici as it looked as though it would not be the Iron's night.

However, with nine minutes remaining, Hooper gave them a glimmer of hope when he reacted quickest after Federici could not hold on to a Garry Thompson effort.

And a remarkable comeback was completed a minute from time when substitute Jonathan Forte headed down for Sparrow and the midfielder, who netted two goals in last season's playoff final to earn Scunthorpe a place in the Championship, was fortunate enough to see his effort deflected into the net.

The final whistle was greeted with a pitch invasion as ecstatic Iron supporters celebrated arguably the greatest achievement in the club's history.

Despite having the smallest ground, the smallest attendances, the smallest budget, and the smallest squad, Scunthorpe United are staying in the Championship.