Full-time: Scunthorpe United 0 Bristol Rovers 2. Bristol Rovers proved they can win without top scorer Rickie Lambert as goals from Darryl Duffy and Jo Kuffour earned them their third away victory of the season at Glanford Park, writes Chris Swift.

The Pirates were without the 20-goal Scouse marksman for the first time this season as he continued his recovery from a hip injury.

But his replacement Duffy – making his first start since October – drew first blood for the visitors in the 21st minute when he capitalised on good work by Chris Lines and smacked a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

And 10 minutes later his strike partner Kuffour got in on the act. Jeff Hughes advanced down the left and fed the pint-sized marksman, who cut into the penalty area before planting his angled shot through the legs of keeper Joe Murphy to double the lead.

It was a bitter blow for the home fans, who had seen their side dominate the early stages in terms of possession but emerge with nothing to show.

The Iron posed a couple of threats from set pieces, and Steve Phillips was fortunate when he spilled a shot by Martyn Woolford but saw one of his team-mates hack the ball clear.

Then a quickly-taken free-kick almost caught the visitors napping, but Ryan Green was alert to the danger and reacted quickly to snuff out the opportunity.

Scunthorpe could have been level by the hour-mark but wasted two glorious chances.

First Garry Thompson burst into the box but clipped his shot wide of the far post from eight yards when it looked easier to score.

Then, on 60 minutes, Craig Hinton was controversially penalised for handling inside the box. But Phillips did well not to be hoodwinked by Paul Hayes' stuttering run-up and punched away the striker's spot kick.

Kuffour was causing the home side all sorts of problems and twice went close to extending the Pirates' lead. Murphy got his fingertips to one angled shot after great work by Stuart Campbell to set up the chance.

And the pint-sized marksman fired another attempt just over the bar from 20 yards.

Scunthorpe almost pulled a goal back in the closing stages but Grant McCann's rocket shot bounced down off the underside of the bar and was hacked clear.

Overall, Rovers deserved their victory and did a professional job closing the game out in the second half to end Scunthorpe's run of four successive wins.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Byrne, Sparrow (Togwell, 65), Thompson, Hayes, Hooper, Mirfin, Woolford (Lansbury, 46), McCann, Wright (Morris, 65), Pearce. Subs (not used): Slocombe, Hurst.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, R Green, Hinton, Elliott, Lescott, Pipe, Lines, Campbell, Hughes (Disley, 71), Kuffour (Jacobson, 77), Duffy (Rigg, 86). Subs (not used): Anthony, Clough.

Attendance: 4,156.