Mirfin sends Iron through

Scunthorpe reach the northern semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after beating Rochdale 1-0.

Scunthorpe squeeze through against Rochdale

Scunthorpe are into the northern area semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 1-0 win over Rochdale thanks to an injury-time winner from David Mirfin. The centre-back headed home from point-blank range after the visitors had failed to clear a cross from substitute Kevan Hurst. Minutes earlier Rochdale had threatened to snatch a late lead when their substitute Lee Thorpe was denied by a good double save from goalkeeper Joe Murphy. For much of this game though it looked destined to require penalties to decide the winner, with few chances at either end. After the interval, midfielder Will Buckley tested Murphy with a long-range effort before Scunthorpe began to take command. In the closing stages substitute Ben May twice went close but the game wasn't settled until stoppage time when Mirfin grabbed his first Iron goal.