David Healy"s first goal for more than a year salvaged a point on Tuesday night for draw specialists Ipswich at inhospitable Glanford Park.
Cliff Byrne"s close-range header, after the visitors had twice failed to clear a Martyn Woolford corner, looked to have put Scunthorpe on course for their first win over Ipswich in half a century.
Watch the birdy: Sparrow nicks the ball away from Colback
But substitute Healy"s leveller 15 minutes from time earned a draw. The Northern Ireland striker has been making no impression in the top flight with Sunderland but Ipswich manager Roy Keane believes his loan signing can make a major difference to his side"s survival bid.
"You can say it"s a year but there are a few summer months thrown in there when he would have been sitting on a beach," said Keane, after Ipswich"s 16th stalemate in the league.
"David has been unfortunate not to score a few for Sunderland but once a goalscorer always a goalscorer.
"He has just come up a little bit short in terms of the Premier League but that is no insult."
Ipswich dominated the first half in driving sleet, but could not breach the Championship"s leakiest defence. Jon Walters" measured chip thudded back off the bar after clearing home goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who also kept out attempts from Daryl Murphy, Damien Delaney and Jack Colback.
Ipswich emerged after the interval for an elaborate warm-up drill - a policy designed to shed the sluggishness from their second-half displays.
The previous nine goals they had conceded were all scored in the second period. However, Scunthorpe hit the front after a period of pressure and were left to bemoan Healy"s smart finish.
Their players surrounded referee Andy Haines claiming an infringement in the build-up and boss Nigel Adkins said: "Some referees would have given it, but the goal stood and that"s life."
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