Madden keeps cool as the Iron storm back
SCUNTHORPE boss Mark Robins had to play the waiting game before two goals in 16 second-half minutes saw his side come from behind to claim a third successive victory at the expense of Shrewsbury Town.
Despite dominating, the Iron fell behind in the 15th minute when on-loan midfielder Sullay Kaikai found the bottom corner following a run upfield – his third goal in two matches.
Having struggled for a goal threat in the first half, the Iron upped the ante after the break.
Scott Laird’s header in the six-yard box drew them level and Paddy Madden scored from the penalty spot to complete an impressive turnaround.
“We took too long to score but we deserved to win because we dominated the game,” said Scunthorpe boss Mark Robins.
“We created a lot of chances, but that’s the frustration for us – we don’t take those chances and then the opposition score a goal against the run of play. I still think we were good and stuck to the task.
“Scott Laird deserved his goal because he got up really well at the far stick and it was a stonewall penalty that won the game for us.
“It was tough, but we came through it. I would have been disappointed with a draw because we really needed to win it. Three wins on the bounce is a good start.”
Kaikai’s goal came out of nowhere, stroked into the bottom corner after he had been allowed to turn and run at the home defence.
Scunthorpe were unable to respond in the first half, but were markedly more threatening in the second, with Laird twice off target before he rose highest at the back post to head home from Madden’s cross in the 58th minute.
The Irishman then went from provider to scorer, drilling a 74th minute penalty to the right of goalkeeper Jayson Leutweiler.
It was the seventh spot kick the Shrews have conceded so far this season and there were no doubts – fullback Junior Brown chopping down Neal Bishop on the back of Tommy Rowe’s bulldozing run into the box.
And Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon thought his side were masters of their own downfall. He said:“It’s always hard to lose games, but when you’re 1-0 up at half-time away from home, you have to tough out the first 20 minutes of the second half.
“We’ve got to be tougher mentally and see spells like that through.
“But we invited pressure onto ourselves and weren’t able to stop a number of crosses coming into our box. In the second half we didn’t do the things that got us the joy in the first half.
“As seasoned professionals, you have to tough spells like that out.
“That’s what you have to do in these divisions to be successful.”