League leaders with a polished and professional victory at the ABAX Stadium.
Peterborough United suffered only their second Sky Bet League One defeat at the ABAX Stadium since August as league leaders Scunthorpe United extended their excellent run with a composed 2-0 victory.Posh had chances in the second half, but a goal in each half was enough for the Iron who inflicted a first defeat in six on Grant McCann's men.
In a lively opening to the contest, both sides had early chances, the best of which falling to Kevin Van Veen who saw his powerful run and shot beaten away by goalkeeper Luke McGee.
Chris Forrester saw a shot blocked after good work from Andrew Hughes as the game commenced at a fast tempo.
Daniels was called upon to make his first save of the evening on 10 minutes as he collected an effort from Nichols who had exchanged a one-two with Chris Forrester on the edge of the box.
The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes as a cross from the right was powered home from close-range from Kevin VAN VEEN to give the league leaders the lead. Baldwin was cautioned moments later for a scuffle with Van Veen, the latter getting away with a talking to.
The Iron striker was cautioned moments later for a crunching tackle on Coulthirst in the centre circle. Townsend saw a deflected effort go just past the post on 33 minutes as the Iron pressed for a second goal.
McGee made a routine stop to deny a Holmes effort on 41 minutes after the tricky winger let fly from long-range. Coulthirst was cautioned as the first half moved into two minutes of added time.
Grant McCann made a double change at half-time with Lee Angol and Gwion Edwards replacing Da Silva Lopes and Coulthirst.
Skipper Forrester fired wide with his left-foot from 25-yards on 47 minutes after good work from substitute Angol.
Smith saw a shot blocked and then he prodded a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the target as the ball rebounded kindly into the Northern Irishman's path.
The Iron were dealt a blow when they lost the services of the experienced Dawson to injury on 52 minutes, Richard Smallwood his replacement.
Maddison saw a well flighted free-kick glanced wide of the far post by Tafazolli after Angol had been felled by the touchline.
Edwards clipped the outside of the base of the post on the hour mark after a low Nichols centre as Posh came close to levelling the scores following a sweeping move involving Maddison.
Bishop glanced a header just over the top from a Morris corner moments later for the Iron. Hughes glanced a Maddison free-kick wide on 64 minutes.
Smallwood rifled a shot over the upright before Posh made their final change as George Moncur replaced Bostwick in a more attacking shape.
Smith fired straight at Daniels after a patient Posh build-up on 70 minutes with Moncur heavily involved.
Goode was cautioned for a very late lunge on Edwards on 72 minutes. Maddison saw a left-foot drive parried away by Daniels with Nichols unable to keep the header down from the rebound, the ball clearing the crossbar from six-yards.
Angol headed over from a Maddison centre as the game entered the final 15 minutes. Hopper slammed a shot into the side-netting at the other end as Posh struggled to clear the ball.
The second goal came on 82 minutes, McGee with a fine stop but as the ball looped into the air, BISHOP was there to bundle home from close-range.
Posh: McGee, Smith, Hughes, Bostwick (sub Moncur 66min), Tafazolli, Baldwin, Forrester, Maddison, Coulthirst (sub Angol 46min), Da Silva Lopes (sub Edwards 46min), Nichols. Unused subs: Tyler, White, Binnom-Williams, Taylor.
Scunthorpe: Daniels, Wiseman, Wallace, Dawson (sub Smallwood 52min), Van Veen (sub Mantom 75min), Morris, Bishop, Hopper (sub Williams 88min), Holmes, Goode, Townsend. Unused subs: Anyon, Madden. Adelakun, Clarke.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 Scunthorpe United
Full-time: Peterborough United 0-2 Scunthorpe United
Attendance: 5,222 (395 Scunthorpe fans)