The Iron were not at their best and were never able to take a firm grip on the game, while the Magpies battled valiantly and went home satisfied with a point.
Steve Torpey could miss the FA Cup clash with Chelsea after he was shown a straight red card for a clash with Mike Whitlow in the 85th minute.
Goalkeeper Saul Deeney and defender Robert Ullathorne starred for the Magpies, while Matthew Sparrow was a key figure in the Scunthorpe midfield.
County opened well, playing some neat and effective football but two early opportunities went begging as Scunthorpe struggled to find a rhythm.
However, former County favourite Ian Baraclough did break through to fire wide after 17minutes following excellent approach work by Sparrow and Paul Hayes.
The Iron maintained the pressure with Torpey and Hayes both just off target.
As County struck back, Chris Palmer created space to crack a shot over but the game swayed Scunthorpe's way again with Deeney blocking Hayes' shot with his legs.
Scunthorpe were far from their best in their opening half but defender Nathan Stanton broke well to drive wide after a neat interchange with Sparrow.
Just on the interval the Magpies were close when Kelvin Wilson fired into the side netting.
Scunthorpe were first to show after the restart and Sparrow made a quick break to feed Hayes, but his shot lacked the power to beat the keeper.
As County hit back, Gavin Gordon broke free of the home defence and with only Paul Musselwhite to beat he clipped the ball over the top.
Deeney then denied Scunthorpe as he parried away a deflected shot by Torpey and Ullathorne cleared a header by Andy Butler off the line.
As the Magpies come on, Scunthorpe's frustration began to boil over as Torpey received a straight red card and Michael Rankine saw a yellow after both had clashed with Whitlow in the closing minutes.
Yet in added time Sparrow almost grabbed a winner but again Deeney came out on top.