Scunthorpe 1-2 Ipswich

Ipswich striker Pablo Counago was accused of spitting during the incident which led to a double sending-off.

Counago and United full-back Jack Cork were dismissed for striking each other.

But Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins said: "Counago spat in the face of Andy Butler. There is no place for that in our game.

"He then slapped Jack Cork in the face. Jack put up his arms and I suppose he had to go.

"There will be no point in appealing. The lad is distraught in the dressing room, crying his eyes out. He feels he's let the side down when really he was just an innocent victim. He is a model professional."

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton said: "I have not seen the incident yet, but if Pablo Counago has spat in the lad's face I will throw the kitchen sink at him. He will definitely be fined two weeks' wages.

"The incident unsettled our side and we had to dig in to get the points. We should have been two or three ahead at the interval and the dismissals certainly changed the game."

Counago's red card has left Magilton with a headache just as his side prepare for an assault on the playoffs.

Counago, whose 19thminute goal set up this victory, is Town's main striker with 12 goals this season.

His absence for a likely three games leaves Magilton short of firepower just when he needs it most.

The classy Cork, on loan from Chelsea, will also miss vital games for Scunthorpe but it looks as though United's fate is almost sealed.

Ipswich ran this show from start to finish, with Counago, Alan Lee and Alan Quinn all cutting through a faltering defence in the opening 15 minutes.

Then the visitors were ahead. United's defence was in a mess as they tried to clear a simple cross. Matthew Sparrow sliced his clearance on the edge of the area and, when Lee found Counago with a sharp pass, the Spaniard rolled the ball into the corner.

The striker could have had a second goal in the 36th minute but he shot straight at Joe Murphy.

The double sending-off fired Scunthorpe into a positive reaction, but they were stopped in their tracks by the goal of the game.

Luis Castro Sito weaved his way past three challenges before clipping the ball into the corner of the net.

United scrapped to the end and were rewarded seconds from time when sub Ben May turned in Curtis Weston's cross.

Ray Clarkin (Sunday Mirror)