SCUNTHORPE 1 (Hooper 57), LEEDS UNITED 2 (Showunmi 61, Beckford 80)

Scunthorpe: Lillis, Milne, Williams, Iriekpen, Byrne, Thompson, Hayes (Forte 67), Hooper, McCann (May 82), Hurst (Sparrow 75), Morris. Subs: Lea, Wright.

United: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Marques, Sheehan, Snodgrass, Howson, Prutton, Robinson (Hughes 90), Beckford, Showunmi (Becchio 81). Subs: Lucas, Douglas, Telfer.

Referee: Lee Probert

Booked: Showunmi

Att: 8315 (2358 Leeds)

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United boss Gary McAllister sprung no surprises with his first starting line-up of the new season, naming the same team which started the game against FCV Dender in the final friendly outing last weekend.

There were debuts for new signings Andy Robinson, Enoch Showunmi, and Robert Snodgrass, while Luciano Becchio and Paul Telfer were named among the substitutes for United's first ever league trip to Glanford Park.

And Frazer Richardson was handed the captain's armband for the opening game.

United started brightly and after Jonny Howson corner won a corner inside the first 90 seconds, Paul Huntington headed the set-piece narrowly wide.

The United centre-back was called into action in his own half moments later when both he and Howson cleared the ball as Scunthorpe won back-to-back corners.  Casper Ankergren pushed the second clear.

The game was played at a terrific pace - Scunthorpe were looking to close United down quickly and move the ball quickly themselves - and after another raid by the home side, Jermaine Beckford lifted a shot high over the top, following a Richardson cross.

It was end to end stuff, and Ankergren was called upon again on 20 minutes to deny Gary Hooper.

Leeds cleared the resultant corner and broke quickly, and Howson went close when he curled a shot just wide of the mark.

But the next opportunity fell to Scunthorpe after United conceded possession, and Huntington and Ankergren combined well to deny Paul Hayes.

The hosts were enjoying some good possession, and they had the ball in the net on 28 minutes when Izzy Iriekpen headed home a Grant McCann free-kick. Thankfully, for United, the assistant referee raised his flag for an offence.

Scunthorpe had another good chance in the 38th minute when Hayes fired a volley wide of the mark, but United's response was immediate and Showunmi, who profited from some good work by Snodgrass, grazed the upright with a powerful low strike which had home goalkeeper Josh Lillis beaten

Lillis was also unable hold an Alan Sheehan shot, and after Showunmi seized, Beckford returned the ball into the side-netting from a narrow angle.

And two minutes from half-time, United should have been in front. Lillis fumbled a shot from Snodgrass and appeared to drop the ball over his own line. Amazingly, the assistant referee failed to spot the error although United striker Showunmi, who had closed the keeper down, made his feelings clear.

"United should have been in front before half-time. Lillis fumbled a shot from Snodgrass and appeared to drop the ball over his own line."

It was a controversial end to the half, but United came storming out of the traps at the starnt of the second period and after Beckford won a free-kick on the edge of the box, Lillis pulled off super save to deny Robinson.

The corner also caused problems for Scunthorpe, Showunmi had a shot blocked, and after Scunthorpe cleared, United came storming back with Beckford who fired wide. David Prutton also volleyed wide from distance.

It was a terrific start by Leeds, and Scunthorpe had to react well to clear twice from Snodgrass as United looked to force the pace.

But disaster struck in the 57th minute when Hooper capitalised on some good build-up play to escape the clutches of Rui Marques. Hooper shaped well and tucked his shot beyond Ankergren to give the home side the advantage.

United were level within three minutes, though. Snodgrass delivered a free-kick from deep and Showunmi rose well to head the ball home in front of a jubiulant away following.

On 65 minutes, Leeds went close again with a near replica of the goal. Again, Snodgrass delivered the ball in from deep only this time Showunmi was unable to direct his header on target.

Another Snodgrass free-kick caused problems on 70 minutes and when Scunthorpe could only clear as far as Prutton, the United midfielder lashed a shot wide of the mark.

And, yet again, Lillis had to react well to deny Robinson and Showunmi after a Snodgrass free-kick was blocked in the first instance before being chipped back in to the danger zone.

Leeds were starting to drive forward with real purpose and Beckford was next to go close after some good build-up play.

Beckford was denied by a terrific save from Lillis in the 76th minute and Robinson was unable to keep the return shot beneath the bar.

But with 10 minutes remaining, United were in front. Prutton rattled the bar from distance after a short-corner routine and Beckford was on hand to rifle home the rebound.

With the celebrations still in full swing in the away end, McAllister introduced Becchio from the subs bench and the Argentinian's first touch was to test Lillis with a great strike from distance.

There was a scare for Leeds, though, when Ankergren had to react well after a Sheehan back-header allowed Hooper a clear sight on goal.

United replied immediately with Howson forcing Lilis into making yet another good save after his strike took a deflection.

Prutton fired an effort wide in injury time, but United had done enough to secure an opening day victory and a first three points of the season.