Football: Beagrie stars for Laws men

BRIAN LAWS' Scunthorpe remain unbeaten after seeing off the challenge of Port Vale with a two-goal salvo at the end of the first half of an absorbing top-of-the-table clash.

Newly-promoted Scunthorpe should have taken the lead in the 12th minute, but Ian Baraclough's header from close range just missed a post.

The leaders continued to pressurise, but for all their territorial advantage veteran winger Peter Beagrie and Co could not fashion a clear-cut opening.

It took a shot from distance to test Port Vale goalkeeper Mark Goodlad, who had to be alert to tip Richie Ryan's 25-yard effort around the post in the 28th minute.

The pressure eventually told on Port Vale in the 33rd minute when Richard Hinds scored with a right-footed effort from distance following good work by Baraclough on the left.

The Iron underlined their superiority just four minutes later when the evergreen Beagrie created a gilt-edged chance for Andrew Keogh to head home to make it 2-0.

Vale opened the second half by issuing a statement of attacking intent, with both Chris Cornes and Nathan Lowndes hitting long- range shots in the first four minutes - but they did not trouble the keeper.

Despite the early pressure, the leaders should have killed the game in the 57th minute, but Beagrie pulled his close-range effort wide when he could have put the cap on a fine personal display.

Chris Birchall should have set the match up for a grandstand finish when he had the ball at his feet with only Scunthorpe goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite to beat, but the Vale substitute had his close-range effort blocked by the experienced stopper.

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