The hosts free from the threat of relegation or the pressure of the play offs got things underway on chilly but bright April afternoon against an unchanged Pool side who were once again backed by an impressive vocal following.

A towering header from Marc Joseph in the opening couple of minutes left the Pool defender requiring treatment from Phil Horner, the former Hull City man rose above Keogh to nod clear an in swinging free kick but Joseph appeared to fall awkwardly, fortunately after a couple of minutes Joseph recovered and was able to take his position on the right hand side of the Pool defence.

A rash challenge from Jason Wilcox on Cleveland Taylor gave Brian Laws men a free kick in a dangerous area, but Wilcox made amends by heading clear the resulting free kick.

A foul from Rob Edwards on the lively Taylor on 12 minutes handed Scunthorpe a free kick some 30-yards from goal, Baraclough stepped up to take the kick and saw his effort rebound off Marcus Bean. Bean's block led to a swift Pool counter attack with Keigan Parker in the thick of things, the speedy Scot looking to wriggle free of maker Steve Foster appeared to have his run checked inside the box; the referee despite Parker's protests the referee waved away the claim and the Iron hoofed clear.

Scunthorpe's leading scorer Billy Sharp squandered the best chance of the opening 17 minutes when he headed wide a great cross from Cleveland Taylor, Sharp, unmarked and just six yards out saw his diving header end up in the imaginatively named Study United FC Stand.

Less than two minutes later Rory Prendergast saw a long range effort whistle just over after the hosts only half cleared following a free kick from Jason Wilcox on the Pool left.

Keith Southern was forced to turn behind for a corner mid way through the half under pressure from Sharp. Pool struggled to clear the resulting corner and were delighted to see Scunthorpe head behind for a goal kick.

Some great persistence from Keigan Parker earned Pool their first corner of the afternoon on 24 minutes, Rory Prendergast trotted to the right wing to see his effort cleared by the Iron defence.

The lively pair of Billy Sharp and Andy Keogh were always going to be a threat and on 25 minutes Keogh dragged a shot from 18-yards wide of the post.

Gareth Williams wasted a great opportunity to give Pool the lead on 12 minutes, a poor clearance by Scunthorpe 'keeper Tom Evans fell to Ciaran Donnelly who laid off to Williams, Williams with two men waiting for a cross at the far post saw a cross cum shot fly straight at the relieved Evans.

Half Time Scunthorpe United 0 Blackpool 0

Lee Jones was forced to make a great save after just three minutes of the second period, defender Richard Hinds unleashed a great strike from 30-yards but saw the big Welshman dive to his left to take the ball.

Five minutes later Hinds saw an effort whistle just over following another long range attempt.

Lee Jones produced a great save to deny Keogh and Scunthorpe an opener on 55 minutes, Keogh, the former Leeds man got behind Peter Clarke and Rob Edwards and fired towards the bottom corner only to see Lee Jones throw himself to his right to push the Irishman's strike behind for a corner. The resulting corner saw the Pool defence stand firm and clear the danger.

Ciaran Donnelly under pressure from Sparrow was forced to clear behind for a corner on 58 minutes and once again Pool through Rob Edwards cleared the danger. Donnelly became the first player in the referee's notebook on the hour following a choice remark to referee Mr Moss.

Pool made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Matthew Blinkhorn and Keith Lasley replacing Ciaran Donnelly and Gareth Williams.

A low teasing cross from Rory Prendergast forced the hosts to turn behind for a corner on 70 minutes; Keith Lasley saw his cross to the near post well cleared by the Scunthorpe defence.

With just over 15 minutes Scunthorpe made their first change with veteran Peter Beagrie replacing Richard Hinds.

With ten minutes remaining the hosts made a second change with striker Steve Torpey replacing the impressive Cleveland Taylor, the change saw Torpey go alongside Sharp with Keogh moving to the right wing.

With seven minutes remaining, Lee Jones produced another great stop to this time to deny Sharp who had got behind the Pool back four.

Rob Edwards was forced to put behind for a corner on 85 minutes, but Keogh's effort was poor and Pool cleared the danger.

Marcus Bean fired just over before Sam Stockley replaced Rory Prendergast, the change saw Stockley slot in at left back with Jason Wilcox moving to the left of midfield.

With three minutes of time remaining enter the curse of the last minute goal returned; BILLY SHARP was on hand to finish off after Torpey had sprung the Pool offside trap

The goal prompted a stupid pitch inspection from some of the Pool supporters and no doubt possible repercussions from the FA.

Despite throwing Peter Clarke into the attack Pool failed to find a break through and Pool are all but safe safety is not yet guaranteed.

Pool: Jones, Joseph, Clarke, Edwards, Wilcox, Donnelly (Lasley 65), Bean, Southern, Prendergast (Stockley 86), Williams (Blinkhorn 65), Parker. Subs Not Used: Pogliacomi, Wood,

Attendance: 5917 (859 Pool Supporters)