Scunthorpe and Colchester served up a six-goal thriller despite both already destined to Coca-Cola League One before a ball was kicked.

And following the 3-3 draw at Glanford Park, both managers pledged afterwards that their aim was an immediate return to the Championship next season.

Colchester boss Geraint Williams said: "After two seasons in the Championship it really hurts to be going down. But this game just about summed up our season.

"We scored three great goals and always looked dangerous going forward but after getting 3-1 in front, some poor defending once again let us down.

"We didn't want to be relegated with a whimper and I think we showed that.

Now promotion has got to be the word as we look to next season in League One.

"Swansea and Nottingham Forest have both gone up this season playing good football and that is something that should give us confidence."

Kevin McLeod celebrated his recall to the starting line-up by heading Colchester in front in the 11th minute.

That was quickly cancelled out four minutes later when Jonathan Forte equalised for Scunthorpe.

Colchester looked to have taken command with two goals in a minute right at the start of the second half.

First Scott Vernon put them in front with a fabulous overhead kick and then McLeod struck again with his second goal of the game with a curling shot into the far corner.

Scunthorpe's in-form striker Paul Hayes then took the game by the scruff of the neck.

He reduced the arrears with a shot on the turn in the 68th minute, then intercepted a headed back-pass from Matt Heath for his side's equaliser eight minutes from time.

That took Hayes' tally to five goals in the last three games but they have come just too late to save Scunthorpe from the drop.

"This has been a terrific season for us and we have given it our best shot," said Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins.

"My players have shown commitment right the way through the campaign and they did it again when we were trailing 3-1 to Colchester.

"At the end of the day, we have come up just a little bit short of surviving at this level.

"But we won the League One title two seasons ago and promotion has got to be our aim as we look forward to next season.

"Like Colchester, we are a small club with small resources but there is no shortage of ambition to bounce straight back."