Swansea's terrible away form continued as they conceded the points to two first half goals at Scunthorpe.
Swans manager Brian Flynn said afterwards: "To survive we have to start getting something away from home. We have to get on with it." However Flynn was happy with the debut performance of striker Marc Richards, adding: "He didn't have a lot of service." Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws admitted he was not sure whether referee Steve Baines was right with the penalty award which gave his side the lead, but added: "We were far the better side, we played some forceful football and I was delighted with the three points." Newcomer Cliff Byrne, on loan from Sunderland, gave an impressive display in the Scunthorpe back four.
Scunthorpe were always in charge and after early efforts by Lee Featherstone and Matin Carruthers, the Swans first shot on target came from Matt Murphy but it was straight in to Tom Evans' arms.
However that was a rare occurrence and the Iron went close through Steve Torpey's volley over the bar and then Kris O'Leary headed clear free-kick from Ian Kilford.
Scunthorpe went ahead in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot after Carruthers appeared to be pulled down by Jason Smith and got up to drive the ball well beyond Roger Freestone's grasp.
Another Swans raid was rewarded with their first corner after 31 minutes and Mick Howard's flag kick was headed wide of the mark by Smith.
On the stroke of half time Matt Sparrow returning after a three-match ban fired Scunthorpe further ahead with a fine left foot shot.
The home side began the second half in dominant fashion and they almost grabbed a third when a firmly struck 20 yard free kick by Andy Dawson was spilled by Freestone, but eventually cleared.
Just after the hour Featherstone made a strong run to cross from the left and although Torpey got a touch on the ball with his head, it was not firm enough and the chance went begging.
Swansea's best chance of cutting the deficit came in the 68th minute when Richards got away down the middle but blasted the ball wildly over the bar, while a diving header by Lee Jenkins was also close