Struggling Scunthorpe United slipped to their third successive defeat after a 2-0 League One home defeat by Gillingham.

Tom Eaves and Dean Parrett grabbed the goals in two second-half minutes to put the Iron to bed at Glanford Park.

Gills’ goalkeeper Tom Holy had little to do early on as he kept out Matty Lund’s shot.

On the stroke of the break, James Perch powered a great chance over for the hosts.

In the 54th minute Eaves bagged his 14th goal of the season with a well-taken finish a minute after Parrett hit the post,

And Parrett made no mistake two minutes later with an unstoppable finish from just outside of the penalty box.

Holy spilled a cross but the danger was averted as he gathered the rebound.

Eaves smashed a penalty over the bar after substitute Andy Dales felled Parrett in the box 10 minutes from time.

Scunthorpe’s Josh Morris could only find the side netting after being found by Charlie Goode inside the box.

The victory lifts Steve Lovell’s side up to 16th place in League One, crucially seven points above the relegation zone and next up for The Gills is their League One clash at home to Wycombe Wanderers next Saturday.

Scunthorpe United line up: Alnwick, Borthwick-Jackson, Lund (Ugbo 62), Morris, Perch, Novak, Thomas (Dales 71), Goode, Burgess, McArdle, Wootton.

Subs not used: Flatt, Horsfield, Humphrys, El-Mhanni, Sutton.

Booked: Goode (41), McArdle (50), Perch (52).

Gillingham line up: Holy, Fuller, Ehmer (Lacey 69), Zakuani, Ogilvie, Parrett (Bingham 82), List, Oldaker, Byrne, Eaves, Parker.

Subs not used: Hadler, O’Neill, Garmston, Charles-Cook, Rees.

Goals: Eaves (54), Parrett (56).

Booked: Parrett (11).

Referee: Mr Graham Salisbury

Attendance: 3,054.