Burton brace sinks Shrimps
MORECAMBE kicked off their Christmas campaign with a disappointing defeat at Glanford Park.
Two goals from veteran striker Deon Burton gave the home side the points as they continued their impressive run of form under caretaker boss Russ Wilcox.
Scunthorpe took the lead on 16 minutes when Burton showed a striker's instinct to run in at the far post and slot home a low cross from Christian Ribeiro.
Burton, who caused Morecambe all sorts of problems when he played for Gillingham, then added a stunning second.
The striker collected the ball 20 yards out, turned sharply and volleyed superbly past Barry Roche.
Burton was denied a hat-trick when a second half volley was cleared off the line by Robbie Threlfall
The Shrimps enjoyed a superb start to the game and forced seven corners in the first five minutes.
Two of these produced good chances but unfortunately both Chris McCready and Stewart Drummond failed to find the target from close range.
From there the Shrimps struggled to create any chance with their first effort of note coming on 75 minutes when Jack Redshaw saw a close range header tipped away by home keeper Sam Slocombe.
SCUNTHORPE: Slocombe, Ribeiro, Canavan, Mirfin, Nolan, Williams, Syers, McAllister (rep Boyce 85), Hawkridge (rep Adelakun 62), Williams, Winnall (rep Godden 77), Burton.
Subs not used: Severn, Iwelumo, Esajas, Waterfall.
MORECAMBE: Roche, Parrish, McCready (rep Ellison 54), Hughes, Threlfall, Drummond, Wright, Amond (rep Mwasile 69), Fleming (rep Kenyon 79), Sampson, Redshaw.
Subs not used: Arestidou, McGowan, Williams, McGee.
Ref: D Webb.