Paul Hayes struck deep into injury time as Scunthorpe snatched a last-gasp win over Barnsley.
Iron leave it late at Glanford Park
Scunthorpe put breathing space between themselves and the relegation places after snatching a last-gasp 2-1 win over Barnsley at Glanford Park.
Striker Paul Hayes struck with almost the last kick of the game after Tykes' substitute Daniel Bogdanovic had cancelled out Gary Hooper's 50th minute opener.
Hooper's cute finish gave the struggling home side, who had lost three consecutive games before Tuesday night's clash, the lead.
But having conceded five to Leicester at the weekend and 55 goals so far this season, a 56th always looked likely as the visitors chased the game.
And it came when Bogdanovic, who came on with an hour gone, looked to have rescued a share of the spoils for the visiting Tykes 11 minutes from time.
But Hayes popped up and secured the win with almost the last kick of the game courtesy of a calm finish.
Crucial
Barnsley looked the more likely winners in an opening which was scrappy at best. Filipe Teixeira made space for a shot on the edge of the box but it was always rising and cleared Joe Murphy's crossbar.
A run from Scunthorpe winger Martyn Woolford enabled him to break well in the 14th minute, but as he looked to pull the trigger on-loan Manchester City defender Kieran Trippier came across and diverted the ball to safety.
Hooper went close in the 22nd minute with a shot on the turn which curled just wide of its intended destination - the top-right corner of Luke Steele's goal.
Marcus Williams got a crucial block on a goal-bound Teixeira shot and just moments later the Portuguese midfielder fired the ball across the face of goal.
But with few Reds attackers prepared to attack it, Michael Raynes was able to put the ball out for a corner.
Scunthorpe finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute following some good work down the Barnsley left, first from Hayes and then by Matt Sparrow.
The latter drove to the byline and crashed the ball across the face of goal where Hooper came up with a clever finish.
The United striker allowed the ball to pass between his legs before steering it into the net with the inside of his right boot.
A second should have come when Hooper went clean through minutes later but his touch let him down and Steele was able to clear.
The Tykes goalkeeper then got down smartly to parry a curling Hayes drive from 20 yards wide of goal.
Drama
Teixeira and Bogdanovic both wasted good chances with their heads, while Woolford and Hooper had further chances for the hosts.
But Barnsley pulled themselves level in the 79th minute.
The ball was played down the Scunthorpe left by Bobby Hassell and it was Jones who failed to deal with the bounce.
Bogdanovic sensed his opportunity, collected the ball and drove towards goal, before firing low and hard past Murphy.
But late drama followed three minutes into stoppage-time as the home side managed a winner.
Throwing men forward in search of a winner, the ball fell inside the box to Hayes who curled beyond Steele to claim all three points.
