Morris popped up three minutes from time curling a superb free kick into the top corner when it looked like the Iron would have to settle for a draw.

United had earlier had an effort chalked off when Hakeeb Adelakun had a goal disallowed in the second half.

The Iron were unchanged from last week’s 4-0 victory at Plymouth, but new signings Lee Novak and Andrew Crofts made the bench after their deadline day moves.

Bury had an early penalty appeal turned down after 40 seconds when Harry Bunn took a tumble in the area but his claims were waved away.

From then on Scunthorpe began to dominate having nearly all the possession and Rory McArdle and Murray Wallace mopping up anything at the back.

Despite all their possession they could not turn that dominance into any clear cut chances as balls just failed to find their targets.

The Iron were showcasing some well-crafted set piece routines but nothing came of them.

But against the run of play it was Bury who nearly took a surprise lead on 20 minutes.

A good free kick routine of their own saw the impressive Bunn play the ball to Ryan Lowe and his cross found former Iron Jermaine Beckford whose shot hit the post with Matt Gilks beaten.

Scunthorpe threatened towards the end of the half as Levi Sutton hit the side netting.

The right back then threaded a lovely through ball to Adelakun who forced a good save out of Joe Murphy as he looked to shoot across him.

From the resulting corner, a Morris delivery caused chaos and the ball was eventually turned over.

Bury started the second half quickly and Beckford slashed a shot wide within a minute of the restart when well placed.

But five minutes later, Scunthorpe thought they were ahead.

Adelakun sent over a brilliant free kick that evaded everybody and nestled in the top corner.

However, after a long consultation with his linesman referee Eddie Ilderton decided to disallow the goal.

In attempt to win back the momentum, Graham Alexander made a double substitution with Duane Holmes and new signing Novak replacing Adelakun and Tom Hopper.

It was Novak who almost had dream debut, nearly scoring with his first touch, flashing a header just wide following a Neal Bishop cross.

It looked the game was heading for a goalless draw before Morris produced his moment of magic with his left boot before being mobbed by the strong Iron following as he celebrated.

BURY: Murphy, Williams, Cameron (Aldred 78), Whitmore, Leigh, Ince, Laurent, Edwards (Smith 88), Bunn, Beckford, Lowe (Maguire 64).

Subs not used: Fasan, Skarz, Dai, Cooney, Smith.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED: Gilks, Sutton, McArdle, Wallace, Townsend, Adelakun (Holmes 70), Bishop, Ojo, Morris, Madden (van Veen 79), Hopper (Novak 70).

Subs not used: Watson, Burgess, Mantom, Crofts.

Attendance: 4,055 (668 from Scunthorpe).