Second-half goals from Niall Canavan and Paddy Madden steered in-form Scunthorpe to a 2-0 home victory over Chesterfield.

Centre-back Canavan's second goal in successive games set them on their way in the 58th minute when he struck with a far-post header from a left-wing corner from Liam O'Neil. Then in the 85th minute leading marksman Madden raced free into the box to blast his 15th goal of the season past goalkeeper Tommy Lee. It continued Scunthorpe's upward momentum under manager Mark Robins and condemned Chesterfield to their third successive defeat. Yet the visitors started brightly and might have snatched a first-half lead when skipper Sam Morsey brought the best out of keeper Luke Daniels with a 25-yard effort. It was Scunthorpe, though, who took charge in the second half but substitute Armand Gnanduillet might twice have had the visitors back on level terms. His first effort was well saved by Daniels and his second drifted wide of the far post. But Scunthorpe stood firm at the back for their first clean sheet since last October.