PHIL Edwards’s first goal for Oxford United earned them a creditable share of the spoils with a draw at Sky Bet League One leaders Scunthorpe United.

It looked like normal service would continue for the in-form Iron, when Duane Holmes headed them in front before half-time.

There was a doubt over whether the players would return for the second half as fog grew thicker, prompting an inspection from the officials at Glanford Park.

But the U’s will have been pleased to see the game continue, as within two minutes of the restart Edwards headed in an equaliser.

The visitors had an excellent spell where they had chances to go in front, with Kane Hemmings missing a glorious opening.

But it did not cost United their point, as they held firm against a side who had won their last five games.

Tuesday night’s match-winner Marvin Johnson dropped to the bench after Joe Skarz was passed fit a week after sustaining concussion in the only change from the win against Gillingham.

A feature of United’s back-to-back wins had been fast starts and Chris Maguire almost provided another in the third minute.

Collecting a flick-on from Hemmings, the Scot tried to surprise Scunthorpe goalkeeper Luke Daniels with a volley on the turn, but it fizzed just over the bar.

The hosts responded with a better chance a minute later, when Tom Hopper glanced a header wide from Holmes’s cross.

United were far more direct than normal, rarely building from the back and instead looked to hit Maguire and Hemmings in the channels.

When out of possession, the visitors worked hard to close down the leaders, who struggled to find their rhythm.

The game was scrappy and it took another 20 minutes for the game to settle down.

Eastwood tipped over a rising effort from Josh Morris and Kevin van Veen fired a low shot just wide from range, but United quickly threatened with their first effort on target.

Rob Hall’s direct run through the middle won a free-kick 25 yards out, from which Maguire’s curled effort was turned round the post by Daniels.

United were on the front foot, but conceded within seconds of taking the corner.

Scunthorpe headed the delivery clear and broke through Josh Morris, whose cross was turned goalwards and parried by Eastwood. United got to the loose ball first but could not clear and from Morris’s next cross, Holmes flicked the faintest of headers into the far corner.

It all came amid worsening conditions, as the mist which had been present before kick-off gradually thickened.

At half-time the team of officials came on to the pitch to inspect the visibility, ruling it was still playable.

Herald Series:

  • Officials inspect the gloomy conditions at half-time

The U’s might have been keen at that point for an abandonment, but within two minutes any problems they had with the conditions vanished.

Daniels made a good save to deny John Lundstram, but the visitors were first to the rebound and won a corner.

Maguire’s delivery looked to the near post, where Edwards headed firmly into the net from eight yards, right in front of a noisy away end.

The goal spurred United on to have a great spell which forced Scunthorpe back.

Hemmings looped a header which was tipped on to the crossbar by Daniels, forcing a corner from which Maguire tried a spectacular volley which almost cleared the stand.

Scunthorpe still threatened on the break and with one such counter-attack Morris was brought down by Lundstram, who incurred a one-game suspension for his fifth booking of the season.

United’s clearest chance to take the lead came just after the hour.

Johnson, just on as a substitute, broke free down the left and crossed low. It was on a plate for Hemmings, who with the goal gaping somehow managed to scuff the ball off what looked his heel to Daniels.

Scunthorpe eventually weathered the storm and fought their way back into the game.

The U’s defended well to keep chances from open play down to a minimum, but they did give their hosts several opportunities from set pieces around the box.

From one with 15 minutes remaining, van Veen headed inches wide.

Neither side looked content with a point, which made for an entertaining finish.

At one end, Jamie Ness lashed a shot just wide, while Daniels made two smart saves to deny Maguire in the space of 60 seconds.

It was the visitors pushing hardest in the four minutes of stoppage-time, but they could not find a goal to turn one very good point into an excellent three.

Scunthorpe Utd: Daniels, Wiseman, Goode, Wallace, Townsend, Holmes (Adelakun 82), Smallwood (Ness 67), Bishop, Morris, van Veen, Hopper (Madden 59).

Unused subs: Anyon, Williams, Clarke, Mantom.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Nelson, Dunkley, Skarz, MacDonald (Taylor 86), Lundstram, Ledson, Hall (Johnson 60), Maguire, Hemmings (T Roberts 80).

Unused subs: Buchel, Raglan, Ruffels, Rothwell.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire).

Attendance: 4,338 (visitors figure not given).