Neil Cox said Scunthorpe's draw with Carlisle United felt like a defeat because of the manner of the Blues' late fightback.

The Iron were 2-0 up and on course for a first away win since March going into the closing stages.

But two late United goals earned Chris Beech's side a 2-2 draw at the death.

Scunny boss Cox told his club's website: “I’m disappointed after we were playing so well.

"In the first half especially we created chances, and I know we scored by set plays, but we had enough opportunities, and we started the game really well. 

“We knew they [Carlisle] would change at half time; we had done our homework and we’ve seen that they push everybody forward.

"We had to be ready for it and I thought we were, but we showed a little bit of inexperience when we should have just seen it out.

"It feels like a loss, but we would have taken a draw after last week’s result [a 4-0 home defeat to Exeter]. However, we are disappointed.”

Cox said his second-bottom team had shown "character" in the way they performed in the first half and put United under pressure.

And on the way his side conceded to Jordan Gibson and Brennan Dickenson, he added: “We tried to play our way out of trouble for the first goal and it cost us and then we didn’t deal with the cross or defend the far post.

“We have got a really young side; we just have to keep going because that’s what we’ve got.

"There are more positives than negatives though despite being 2-0 up and failing to see the game out.”