MANAGER Les Parry has warned Tranmere against judging this weekend’s League One opponents Scunthorpe United by their lowly league position, declaring: “They are a much better side than that.”

Rovers head for Glandford Park tomorrow aiming to notch a fourth win in a row at the expense of the Iron, who have managed just two victories this season following relegation from the Championship last May.

But Parry reckons there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support the argument that Scunthorpe’s record of nine draws in 15 league outings shows they can be a match for any side in the division – even though their modest points return has left them down in 16th place.

“Scunthorpe have drawn too many games,” Parry said. “When I talk to the managers who have come up against them, they say they are the best team they have played. They are not getting the rub of the green. The goals are not going in when they are on top in games. They are playing well and they will kick on. I just hope it is after Saturday.”

While Rovers were moving into the play-off zone with a 2-0 win at Hartlepool in midweek, Scunthorpe held second-placed Huddersfield to a 2-2 draw at Glanford Park.

Scunthorpe needed a late equaliser from former Rovers striker Chris Dagnall to rescue a point after failing to convert two penalty kicks against the Terriers.

Parry said: “As the penalties suggest, Scunthorpe just need to finish things off a bit better.”

Iron manager Alan Knill is far from despondent. He said: “I believe we are moving in the right direction. We have had nine draws already this season and I’ve never had that many before. Once or twice we’ve let ourselves down but in most of those games we have had a chance to win them.

“It is frustrating we have not won more games but we have some good players at this club and if they continue to show this level of commitment, I’m sure the results will turn for us.”

Parry found himself talking along similar lines during September when Tranmere took only four points out of 15 at stake. Rovers turned their fortunes around in October. They are unbeaten in five games so far this month, which have yielded three wins and two draws.

Parry said: “When we looked at the number of games we had in October, we felt that if we had a poor month, we could drop down to 18th or 19th position and be looking over our shoulders. We also knew that if we had a strong month, we could get ourselves to the edge of the play-offs, which is where we are.

“It has been an important month because if things had gone the other way, it could have set the tone for the rest of the season.”

Parry insists there is no special ingredient to account for Tranmere’s recent success. “It is down to hard work,” he said. “The lads are really putting the effort in and the staff are really putting it in. The preparation is good and the application is good and you always need that little bit of luck.

“The difference between the best teams in this division and the teams in the lower reaches of the table is minute. So if you can get an edge on the opposition with your organisation and your hard work, then you are always going to punch a little bit above your weight.”

The formal paperwork clearing the way for José Baxter to spend a second month on loan from Everton was processed yesterday.

Parry said: “We needed Jose. We wanted to keep him because of how well he has done. It was a massive boost when David Moyes said yes.”