Scunthorpe United 3-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Ashton Gate

Gary Hooper's blistering hat-trick for Scunthorpe United ended City's season and Keith Millen's six-match unbeaten run as caretaker boss.

Iron top scorer Hooper's close range finish had the home side one goal to the good by the break, but it could have been worse as the striker also had a goal ruled out for offside and Martyn Woolford rattled the bar with a fierce drive.

The one-sided contest continued after the break when Hooper bagged two more to end City's already faint hopes of reaching the play-offs.

With Jamal Campbell-Ryce ruled out with a hamstring problem, Liam Fontaine was tasked with the left-wing back role. In turn Christian Ribeiro earned a recall at the back.

Louis Carey had to be alert early on to block away Hooper's shot, set-up by a huge clearance from Iron keeper Joe Murphy's huge kick forward.

Danny Haynes robbed Kenny Milne and raced goalwards on four minutes but his low, acute-angled shot was well saved by Murphy.

Stephen Henderson clutched on to Grant McCann's curling free kick and then denied Woolford from close range after a ricochet off Carey presented the winger with a chance ten yards out. Irish Under-21 stopper Henderson spread himself well to deny Woolford with his body.

City went close again on 17 minutes when Bradley Orr's right-wing cross was flicked on by the head of Haynes. Murphy remained alert and managed to dive across to his right to push the ball around the post.

The opening goal came two minutes later as Garry Thompson was afforded too much space down the right-wing to send a cross towards the back post. Hooper had time to take an air-shot before side-footing in at the second attempt.

Haynes controlled a long ball forward from Carey but sliced his shot from 18 yards wide of the mark.

Hooper scored again on 26 minutes, however, his effort was quickly chalked out for offside.

There was another scare on the half hour when Paul Hayes was allowed to control the ball inside the box and tee-up his colleague Woolford. Rattling in a shot from 18 yards, Woolford watched the ball crash back from the crossbar.

Ribeiro made way at half-time for Ivan Sproule as was introduced. The change saw the away side switch to a 4-4-2 formation, with Skuse on the left flank.

However, City were punished for more lax defending ten minutes after half-time. Hayes' cross into the box was headed back across goal and as Orr tried to clear, Hooper nicked in and curled a shot into the far corner for 2-0.

Maynard warmed the gloves of Murphy in response but Henderson was soon called into action again. Hayes battled his way into the area but found the City stopper up to the task.

Henderson denied Hayes again on the hour with his fingertips as the Scunthorpe man sent a dipping half-volley goalwards.

Hooper completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes to go, latching on to a perfectly-weighted through pass from Hayes. Advancing on Henderson, Hooper remained composed by rounding the keeper and slotting into his now unguarded goal.

David Clarkson was brought on soon after in a like-for-like change for Haynes, but by then the game was all-but over as a contest.