Scunthorpe boosted their hopes of an automatic promotion spot with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Oldham.

Visitors curse their luck

Scunthorpe boosted their hopes of an automatic promotion spot with a comfortable 2-0 victory against close rivals Oldham. Oldham were left cursing their luck after twice having the ball in the net, only to be denied by an offside flag. Midfielder Grant McCann rifled the Iron in front in the 26th minute with a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards and they struck again when leading marksman Gary Hooper hit an angled shot past goalkeeper Greg Fleming and into the net for his 18th goal of the season. Oldham thought they had pulled one back just before the interval when striker Lee Hughes headed home from a Danny Whitaker free-kick, but his joy was short-lived because of an offside flag. The visitors were out of luck again in the 56th minute when winger Chris Taylor applied the finishing touch from close range, only to be frustrated by an offside flag again. In the closing stages, Hooper and substitute Sam Togwell both went close again for Scunthorpe, who made it three home wins on the trot.