Danny Swailes scored his third goal of the season to give Bury their fifth away win of the campaign.

The home side dominated for long periods, but a missed penalty and poor finishing throughout cost them dearly.

Scunthorpe threatened first but Scott Brough's right-foot shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Steve Redmond, while Ian Kilford lashed an effort wide from 20 yards as Bury struggled to settle.

Kilford went desperately close to breaking the deadlock when he hit the woodwork from close range with a left-foot shot as the home side continued to dominate.

The home side spurned a golden opportunity to go in front when Martin Carruthers drilled a penalty past the left upright after Steve Torpey was fouled by Michael Nelson.

Scunthorpe continued to be the better side but the visitors almost took a surprise lead when Jon Newby had a shot deflected wide and Nelson headed just wide from the resulting corner.

However, they did go ahead when Swailes prodded the ball home from close range following Preece's free-kick from the right.

Both sides made changes in the closing stages but it made little difference as Bury held on to make it three successive wins in the league.

Scunthorpe: Evans, Stanton, McCombe, Byrne, Lee Ridley, Brough, Sparrow, Kilford, Graves, Torpey, Carruthers. Subs: Calvo-Garcia, Jackson, Hayes, O'Connor, Collins.

Bury: Garner, Stuart, Swailes, Redmond, Nelson, Billy, Unsworth, Johnrose, Preece, George, Newby. Subs: Forrest, Woodthorpe, Nugent, Lawson, O'Shaughnessy.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire)