York City, without a point or a goal from their last five away trips, failed to score but took a point from Scunthorpe.
The Minstermen had to scrap for 50 minutes with ten men after Jon Parkin was shown a straight red card following an incident with Cliff Byrne.
Scunthorpe's Steve Torpey also saw red in the 73rd minute after being involved in a clash with York's player-boss Chris Brass.
York were perhaps the happier side after taking a point from what was a very disappointing clash.
After Lee Bullock had forced Scunthorpe's Sam Russell into early action, it was the home striker Steven MacLean, who was denied when Mark Ovendale spread himself well to block a shot with his legs.
The keeper was in further action to save from Andy Butler and then Richard Hope blocked a shot from Torpey.
Scunthorpe's best chance of the opening 45 minutes, came when Wayne Graves fed the ball through for Ian Coolthaw, who lifted the ball over the bar.
Just on the interval another Scunthorpe youngster Terry Barwick saw Hope clear a shot off the line and Torpey missed from close range.
Lee Nogen went close in the opening stages of the second half for York, Butler coming in to sweep away his first effort and Russell saved the second.
Scunthorpe had a golden opportunity to take the lead after 71 minutes. It fell to Torpey who was in an excellenct position but headed over after some creative work from Steven MacLean.
Scunthorpe looked more dangerous in the last quarter when they were down to ten men. Mark Ovendale doing well to smother from Cliff Byrne, Maclean headed wide and sub Paul Hayes also went close.