Scunthorpe United  2 (Sparrow 41, Sharp 52),  Leeds United 1 (Blake 40)

Scunthorpe United: Murphy (Lillis 39min) Mulligan (Asamoah 77min), Ridley, Crosby (Foster 46min), Hinds, Byrne, Sparrow, Torpey, Baraclough (Twibey 85min), A. Butler (Williams 62min), Keogh (Sharp 46min) . Subs not used: Goodwin.

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Parker, Livermore, Gregan, P. Butler, Richardson, Bakke, Beckford ( Garra 46min), Blake, Carole. Subs not used: Griffiths, Bennett, Rose, Morris, Bayley, Hird, Howson.

Referee: G Sutton

Leeds United suffered a second successive pre-season set-back when they went down to a lively and battling Scunthorpe United side who came from behind to win at Glanford Park.

Robbie Blake gave United the lead five minutes before the break but that lead last only a minute before Matthew Sparrow equalised. Substitute Billy Sharp got the winner for The Iron in the 52nd minute.

Manager Kevin Blackwell said he wanted a good work out for his side, who were beaten 2-1 at Hartlepool in their previous game, and he got that from a Scunthorpe side that grew in confidence as the game went on and managed to create a number of  problems for United's defence.

United made an encouraging start, pushing forward with determination and Jermaine Beckford, in his eagerness, was twice flagged for offside. But there was a close call for Scunthorpe after six minutes when good approach work by Robbie Blake and a neat pass inside found Eirik Bakke and the Norwegian international saw his low shot beat keeper Joe Murphy but strike the foot of the post.

Scunthorpe striker Andy Keogh, who spent his formative years with the Elland Road club, tried his luck with a shot from 22 yards when the home sideattacked but his effort st ruck a defender and was easily cleared. On two other occasions Scunthorpe attacks ended with the offside flag being raised.

Neither side had managed to create too many problems for the keepers and as a result there had been little in the way of penalty area excitement though there was an anxious moment for Scunthorpe on the half hour mark  when Frazer Richardson's cross from the right was met by Seb Carole at the far post but his header was blocked.

The home side, with Keogh looking lively. had an spell of pressure but first Keogh lofted a shot over the bar and then failed to cash in when the ball was played in low from the right.

United, however, took the lead in the 40th minute when Robbie Blake fired in following a neat build up but the lead was short lived as Scunthorpe drew level a minute later when Keogh's angled pass found  Dave Mulligan on the right and his low cross left  Matthew Sparrow with the simple task of tapping in from close range.  

Young trialist Dembelle Garra replaced Beckford for the second half to play up front alongside Blake but it was one of Scunthorpe's half-time subs,  Billy Sharp, who made his mark first, forcing the ball in from a inswinging corner from the left to give Scunthorpe the lead for the first time in the game.

Scunthorpe, suitably buoyant after getting their noses in front, grew in confidence and moved the ball about well. They frequently pushed United back on defence with some determined approach play. United were fortunate not to find themselves 3-1 down mid-way through the second half.

Not for the first time, United's defence was found wanting and when Ian Baraclough found himself in possession and with only Neil Sullivan to beat from six yards a goal seemed certain but the Scunthorpe defender inexplicably fired wide. It was a let off for United and they had the chance to cash in when Eirik Bakke had a good chance in the 75th minute from near the penalty spot but fired wide.