By Paul Fletcher

We are convinced now you have to attack the division Peter Beagrie

Scunthorpe veteran Peter Beagrie reckons strike duo Billy Sharp and Andy Keogh can fire the Iron to promotion.

"We are a team that like to play football," Beagrie told BBC Sport. "And in Billy and Andy have two forwards with pace to burn and a lot of tricks.

"They're very direct and can definitely cause problems at this level.

"They are driven, hungry and willing to learn. They can only get better and hopefully we can hold on to them by getting promotion this year."

Beagrie should know what he is talking about.

A tricky winger known for celebrating goals with a back flip, Beagrie has made more than 550 appearances in 22 years as a professional.

And the 40-year-old reckons that with striker Steve Torpey out with a hamstring injury, Sharp and Keogh have really come to the fore.

Sharp, 19, joined from Sheffield United in August, while Keogh, also 19, signed a permanent deal in February having previously impressed while on loan from Leeds.

"Gary Kelly recommended Andy Keogh to us," added Beagrie.

"Gary was bit surprised when Leeds allowed Keogh to come on loan with us - we watched him at close quarters and eventually signed him permanently.

"We watched Billy for 16 months.

"Sharp by name, Sharp by nature. He has a good pedigree and has been well coached at Sheffield."

Sharp has scored three goals in four games this season

And six games into the League One season - with Scunthorpe well placed in sixth place - Beagrie has seen nothing to convince him that the Iron will not enjoy a successful return to the division after promotion in May.

"We have played some of the top sides - the likes of Brentford, Hartlepool and Forest - and have come through what looked like a tough start on paper.

"We are convinced now you have to attack the division.

"We have noticed that teams in this division are often less organised and give you more of a chance than in League Two.

"I think this is because there are better players in this division but often play more as individuals rather than a back-four unit and we have found we can exploit that.

"We need to keep our feet on the floor but realise that we have a genuine chance."