Football: Killer Bea

PETER BEAGRIE'S last-gasp free-kick kept Scunthorpe's automatic promotion bid on track.

The Iron had controlled possession, but struggled to break down a stubborn Rushden rearguard.

Yet just as it seemed the visitors would hold on for a point, veteran winger Beagrie stepped up to smash home a 25-yard free-kick in stoppage time.

In a scrappy opening, Andy Burgess had an early opportunity for the visitors but his effort was well blocked by Andy Crosby.

Scunthorpe really struggled to get anything going in the final third as the game had little flow and few chances.

And they suffered a further blow in the 21st minute when Andy Butler was forced off by injury and replaced by Cliff Byrne.

The Iron finally had a chance in the 25th minute when Beagrie found some rare space down the left and his cross found Paul Hayes, but he couldn't direct his header on target and it sailed harmlessly over.

Rushden's Stuart Gray then tried his luck but his shot was easily gathered by Paul Musselwhite in the home goal.

Byrne hacked Neil McCafferty's dangerous looking corner out of danger and Musselwhite reacted quickly to cut out a Mark Williams cross as the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession.

Rushden, themselves desperate for points in their bid to secure Football League status, were causing high-flying Scunthorpe problems and Billy Sharp drove a shot from 20 yards wide.

Scunthorpe came out after the break fired up and forced two quick corners, which were scrambled clear by Diamonds.

But Rushden didn't lie down and Sharp headed wide from Sean Connelly's cross.

Richard Kell strode forward for the hosts but his hopeful effort from 30 yards never looked likely to trouble Lee Worgan and sailed over the bar.

And shortly after a similar effort from Ian Baraclough was off target.

Scunthorpe gradually started to dominate, without really opening Rushden up, and Andrew Keogh also saw a long-range effort go wide.

Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws threw on Michael Rankine 10 minutes from time in an attempt to force a winner.

Lee Ridley's shot was blocked by Connelly as Rushden defended bravely, looking to safeguard a precious point.

Beagrie's late corner caused havoc in the Rushden box but Worgan got his hand to the ball and punched it clear.

But in stoppage time, Scunthorpe's intense pressure finally paid off.

Rushden striker Adrian Littlejohn pulled down Baraclough and Beagrie stepped up to fire the free-kick home.

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