Leeds progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of an unlucky Scunthorpe.

Scunthorpe had looked the more enterprising side in the first 45 minutes but were behind at half-time courtesy of Mark Viduka's penalty against the run of play.

Leeds boss Terry Venables, who turns 60 on Monday, was handed an early birthday present when referee Alan Wiley decided Matthew Sparrow had tripped Eirik Bakke.

Matteo returned after a three-month lay-off

Scunthorpe battled on but Leeds wrestled control as the match wore on and Bakke secured victory with a well-taken goal in the 68th minute.

Leeds welcomed back captain Dominic Matteo after three months out with a knee injury and the defender got a thorough workout.

From the first minute, Scunthorpe hustled their opponents with Steve Torpey's intelligent play showing just why he is their top scorer this season.

The players did really well in the first-half but we needed to score Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws

Strike partner Martin Carruthers was also causing problems for an uncharacteristically hesitant Danny Mills, with Jonathan Woodgate looking like the only solid member of the Leeds back four.

Scunthorpe enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the first half with nine corners to Leeds' none.

Leeds had few chances but the first fell to Mark Viduka, who should have done better when heading Harry Kewell's cross wide from six yards.

Viduka however made no mistake from the spot, cooly slotting home when Bakke fell over Sparrow's foot in the penalty area.

Viduka scored one and made one

It was scant reward for Scunthorpe's domination and although they continued to press forward, the momentum of the match had swung Leeds' way.

Leeds finally won their first corner of the match four minutes after half-time and then began to press hard.

Kewell fired over when through on goal and then headed over at the far post before Bakke beat Scunthorpe keeper Tom Evans when put through by Viduka's pass.

There's always one upset and you just hope it's not you Leeds manager Terry Venables

Still Scunthorpe carried on fighting and Paul Robinson did well to tip over from Carruthers while the Irons also had a penalty appeal turned down late on.

With a two-goal cushion, Venables gave teenage prodigy James Milner, celebrating his 17th birthday, a run-out and Manchester City target Robbie Fowler also saw a bit of the action.

Urged on by the first ever sell-out crowd at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe fought to the final whistle, but Leeds held firm.

Scunthorpe: Evans, Stanton, Jackson, Byrne, Dawson, Graves, Sparrow, Kilford (Calvo-Garcia 64), Featherstone (Brough 70), Torpey, Carruthers (Parton 86).
Subs not used: McCombe, Lee Ridley.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Mills, Woodgate, Matteo, Smith, Okon, Bakke (Milner 78), Wilcox (Seth Johnson 86), Viduka, Kewell (Fowler 84).
Subs not used: Martyn, Harte.

Att: 8,329

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)