Rickie Lambert's 16th goal of the season wasn't enough to save Bristol Rovers from their third defeat in a row as Scunthorpe United returned to the top of League One with victory at the Memorial Stadium.

The Iron had a huge slice of luck when they took the lead five minutes before the interval thanks to a free-kick from Grant McCann which took a huge deflection on its way into the net.

Lambert put Rovers back on level terms early in the second half when he rounded off a good build-up with a diving far-post header.

But Rovers were caught out at the back when Izzy Iriekpen netted Scunthorpe's winner after 64 minutes, scoring from close range after Gary Hooper had provided a low cross. Though the Pirates fought hard to get back on level terms, there was to be no way back as the visitors defended resiliently to seal their victory.

Rovers made one change to the side that started the FA Cup defeat at Bournemouth with Steve Elliott, who passed a pre-match fitness test, replacing the suspended Byron Anthony in central defence.

The game got off to a high-tempo start with the home side breaking in the second minute as Craig Disley gathered a half-clearance and advanced towards goal, only to fire his shot from 20 yards wide of the target.

But the visitors looked lively too over the early stages and Elliott was soon in action – he was standing just two yards from his own goal-line when he booted away David Mirfin's shot after 11 minutes.

Moments later, the Pirates almost took the lead when good work by Chris Lines set up Jeff Hughes. The winger produced a fine chip which cleared Iron keeper Joe Murphy, but Sam Togwell was able to prevent it going into the net.

Jo Kuffour had made a lively start and it looked like his pace was going to take him away from chasing Scunthorpe defenders after 16 minutes, only for Mirfin to produce a superbly-timed tackle to deny the Rovers striker.

But it took a fine save from Steve Phillips to prevent the Iron taking the lead on the half-hour mark. He went to his left to get fingertips on Martyn Woolford's low shot and made just enough contact to divert the ball against the base of his left-hand post. It rebounded out and Phillips was able to hack clear.

Three minutes later it was the visitors' turn to escape as a trademark Lambert free-kick – fired in right-footed from 25 yards – smashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

Rovers were out of luck five minutes before the break, though, as Scunthorpe took the lead. McCann's 25-yard free-kick took a huge deflection off the Pirates' defensive wall to leave Phillips helpless as the ball flew past him and into the net.

Murphy denied Lambert early in the second half, but the Scouse marksman was not to be denied in the 56th minute when he rounded off a fine move. Stuart Campbell and Aaron Lescott created the chance for Disley to cross, and Lambert was at the far post to convert his delivery with a diving header. It was no less than the home side deserved, although they were almost caught napping from the restart.

Scunthorpe's leading scorer, Hooper, found himself in space eight yards out, but hit his shot on the turn so high it not only cleared the bar but flew out of the ground.

He was to make amends for his howler on 62 minutes, though. Hooper was almost on the byline as Phillips came out to try to close him down. But the striker zipped a low ball across the face of goal for defender Iriekpen to prod home from point-blank range.

Iriekpen wasn't far away from netting his second with a glancing header from a free-kick shortly afterwards, then Rovers rang the changes with a double substitution.

Strikers Darryl Duffy and Ben Hunt came on for Lines and Kuffour as the home side pushed three up front to try and get back on level terms. But the Iron survived a barrage of balls into their box and Murphy punched away Lescott's fierce cross-shot to prevent an equaliser.

Evening Post verdict: Bristol Rovers probably deserved a point on the balance of play - but Scunthorpe showed why they are challenging at the top.