By Chris Bevan

Beagrie backs Iron duo to shine

Scunthorpe's teenage striking duo Andy Keogh and Billy Sharp did not take long to set League One alight.

The pair, both 19, moved to Glanford Park from Championship sides in the last few months - and have hit it off immediately after linking up this season.

Keogh arrived for �50,000 from Leeds while Sharp was a �100,000 signing fom Sheffield United.

They have fired 16 goals between them in the current campaign to push the Iron into the top half of the table, with Sharp notching 12 in 13 games and Keogh adding six more.

Best friends off the pitch, the duo tell BBC Sport why their partnership has worked so well.

Keogh: "We are both young lads and we want to do well. We work hard in training and we have got a good understanding together at the moment.

Scunthorpe 1-0 Southend

"It happened straight away for us. The first game we played together was Southend at home in August and it has gone on from there. We have scored a few goals each and the partnership has developed nicely.

"We set up each other quite a lot - we play off each other's shoulder. Hopefully we can only get better and score more goals.

"Billy's strength is his eye for goal. He doesn't need two or three chances to score - he will get one out of one.

SHARP FACTFILE Previous clubs: Sheff Utd, Rushden (loan) Joined the Iron: August 2005 Fee: �100,000 Scunthorpe League games: Starts 13 Goals 12

Sharp: "We clicked off the pitch as well. We are the same age and we like doing the same things.

"We get a bit of stick off the other lads about it but it seems to have worked. It has definitely helped our partnership.

"We are not talking about going to nightclubs. It is just a quiet meal with the girlfriend until the season is over - we will go out then.

"We speak a lot off the pitch and it has worked on the pitch.

Keogh: "We both want each other to do well, it is not about us as individuals. Whether I score or Billy scores we are as happy for each other as if we score ourselves.

"There is no competition between us. We both want to get over 20 goals this season, anything over that and we will both be happy.

"We are definitely still learning. We are both still only 19 and there is loads to learn - hopefully we can do that at Scunthorpe and progress our careers."

Sharp was a big success on loan at Rushden last season

Sharp: "I have always felt that if I get chances then I will put them away. Fortunately for me that is what is happening at the moment.

"There is a big difference between reserve-team football at Sheffield United and League One. The quality is a lot higher and it is a bit quicker as well.

"We had to drop down a division to get a run of games but hopefully we have come down to step back up.

Keogh: "When I was at Leeds I got the odd chance on the bench with the first team but I was just in the reserves mainly. I wanted to get myself some exposure and show what I can do and that is happening here."

Sharp: "The play-offs are our target. If we are still up there around Christmas then we have definitely got a chance.

KEOGH FACTFILE Previous clubs: Leeds, Scunthorpe (loan), Bury (loan) Joined the Iron: Feb 2005 Fee: �50,000 Scunthorpe League games: Starts 24 Subs 16 Goals 9

"Hopefully we can do that. If we can put a run together and hang in there then anything can happen."

Keogh: "Without a doubt we want promotion. There is nothing to fear in this division and we were told that by the manager at the beginning of the season.