28th January Sheffield United 0 Birmingham City 4 (Attendance: 18, 072)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois (Williams 58), Maguire, Collins, M. Doyle, Williamson, McDonald, Quinn (Flynn 72), Cresswell (Porter 72), Evans.

Subs Not Used: Long, Ertl, Montgomery, Philliskirk.

Bookings: McDonald 79.

Man Of The Match: Richard Cresswell.

Birmingham Line-up: C. Doyle, Murphy, Caldwell, Burke (Gnahore 80), Mutch (Reilly 80), Gomis, Elliott, Rooney, Redmond, Spector, Davies.

Subs Not Used: Ibanez, Fahey, Zigic, Valles, Butland.

Bookings: Elliott 80.

Scorers: Redmond 18, Rooney 38, 78, Elliott 58.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Sheffield United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Birmingham, beaten 4-0 after a lacklustre performance at the Lane.
Manager Danny Wilson again named an unchanged Blades side, with Ched Evans and Richard Cresswell as the front two in a 4-4-2 formation. The Blues made five changes to their side. Colin Doyle, Morgaro Gomis, Nathan Redmond, Adam Rooney and Wade Elliott came in from the side that beat Watford last weekend.
United started the better of the two sides, although apart from an Evans speculative 25-yard effort, the visitors assumed control and got their opener with a Redmond neat finish on 18 minutes. The pacey 17-year-old found himself unmarked in the United box and helped Jordon Mutch's low corner underneath Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. United were not finding it as easy as they do in League One matches at the Lane, and apart from Evans early chance they in truth rarely troubled the visitor’s defence. Birmingham goalie Doyle failed to gather a shot from Evans after 28 minutes. But ten minutes later they added a second.
Elliott found Chris Burke and the midfield man crossed for Rooney. The Blues striker was quickest and got ahead of Harry Maguire to direct the ball into the top corner of the goal. Burke almost killed the game off moments later, but the Scot's curling effort narrowly evaded Simonsen's right post.
Much like the beginning of the first period, the visitors had to face an early onslaught of pressure after the restart. In the space of a couple of minutes, Cresswell failed to connect with Stephen Quinn's ball across the face of goal, then shortly afterwards, Lee Williamson fired at goal and Doyle blocked with his body, the ball dropped for Matt Lowton and he stuck the ball against the post before it was cleared by Steven Caldwell, and the resulting corner was headed inches wide by Cresswell. Just before the hour mark Elliott attacked the Blades defence and was allowed to rush across the edge of the 18 yard box unchallenged before unleashing a strike from 20-yards that deflected off a United player into the bottom corner.
Marcus Williams replaced Lecsinel Jean-Francois just after the hour mark and then Ryan Flynn and Chris Porter came on for Quinn and Cresswell. But the fresh legs made no difference, as David Murphy's run down the left needed just the slightest of touches from Rooney to guide the ball into the bottom corner of the net. United had been disappointing today, although they had met a top Championship side. At least they know what to expect if they get promoted.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Birmingham: Simonsen 6, Lowton 6, Jean-Francois 5, Williams 6, Maguire 5, Collins 5, M. Doyle 6, Williamson 6, McDonald 6, Quinn 6, Flynn 6, Cresswell 6, Porter 6, Evans 6.

21st January Charlton Athletic 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 20,992)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois (Williams 77), Maguire, Collins, Doyle, McDonald, Quinn, Evans, Williamson (Porter 88), Cresswell (Beattie 77).

Subs Not Used: Long, Montgomery.

Sent-Off: Beattie 86.

Bookings: Doyle 80, McDonald 81, Evans 86, Williams 90+1.

Man Of The Match: Lee Williamson.

Charlton Line-up: Hamer, Jackson, Morrison, Taylor, Green (Russell 77), Wright-Phillips (Haynes 88), Wiggins, Pritchard, Solly, Hollands, Kermorgant.

Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Cort, Clarke.

Sent-Off: Russell 85.

Bookings: Wiggins 25, Pritchard 60, Hamer 62, Kermorgant 86.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Johnnie Jackson's first-half free-kick secured Charlton a 1-0 home win over Sheffield United and strengthened their title bid.
The Blades line up was unchanged from the previous week at Bury, the forward line had Ched Evans partnering Richard Cresswell, while James Beattie was again named on the bench. Charlton had the same starting XI from Hillsborough last weekend. Yann Kermorgant, who netted with his first touch after emerging from the bench when the sides last met at Bramall Lane in October, was up front with Bradley Wright-Phillips.
United began brightly, and won a third minute corner which Kevin McDonald raced in to meet from Williamson's corner, and scooped the ball over the bar from inside the 18 yard box. Danny Green curled a free-kick well wide three minutes later for the Addicks after Kermorgant was knocked off the ball by Michael Doyle. Blades captain Doyle sent a well-struck shot wide, after Bradley Pritchard went down, amid a positive start from Danny Wilson’s men. Charlton left-back  Rhoys Wiggins slid in to dispossess Stephen Quinn after good work from Evans, and Green cut out a dangerous Cresswell cross soon after. But despite the encouraging opening from the Blades, it was the hosts that went ahead on 21 minutes. Danny Hollands was upended by McDonald around 20 yards from goal, and after Green's earlier free-kick, this time Kermorgant and captain Jackson stood in conversation. It was influential midfielder Jackson then curled the ball over the wall and into the top left corner of the net.
Wiggins was booked for a foul on Evans on 26 minutes, and then Charlton goalkeeper Ben  Hamer dived to his left to turn Lee Williamson's free-kick round the post. At the other end Green fed the overlapping Chris Solly, but the right-back's cross was inches too high for Wright-Phillips in the middle. Then Michael Morrison headed across goal, and Kermorgant's overhead kick flew over the bar. Quinn's left-foot volley went wide at the other end while there United had the ball in the net four minutes before the break.
Williamson curled in a corner from the left and the ball was eventually fumbled over the line by Hamer. The Referee Darren Deadman instantly blew for a foul, although there appeared to be minimal contact with the keeper, Harry Maguire was standing behind the keeper on the goal line and his boot was possibly slightly in contact with the Charlton stopper, but any contact had not caused Hamer to fumble the ball into his own goal.

United were a threat from set-pieces, and Maguire met another Williamson corner from the left but his header flew just over. Solly got round the back in added time at the end of the half, but his cross was held by Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, and Maguire glanced a header wide after a United  free-kick in the last action of the half.
Hamer did well to claim a curling free-kick from Quinn soon after the restart and Green latched on to a miss-placed header from Lecsinel Jean-Francois and shot straight at Simonsen after 50 minutes had elapsed. Green then breezed through from the right side stepping Jean-Francois with ease before his shot was beaten behind by keeper Simonsen.  
Hamer was then booked for time-wasting as United applied more pressure and responded with two corners and from the latter corner kick, Hamer missed his punch and Evans seized on the loose ball but lifted a shot high over the bar.
At the other end Kermorgant's unconventional header from a Solly cross was held by goalie Simonsen. As the clock reached the last quarter, the hosts were striving to get back on to the front foot as United continued probing.  A deflected Williamson cross was headed wide at the far post by Creswell, the Blades striker approaching from a narrow angle.
Maguire then launched into a thunderous challenge with Jackson, and got through on the other side
before blazing wide. Jean-Francois made way for Marcus Williams as Beattie came on for Cresswell in the game's first changes, with Green also making way for Darel Russell at the same juncture.
Russell was fouled as McDonald also saw yellow, but the substitute made an early exit as the duo collided again five minutes from time. Russell went in for a full-blooded challenge in the centre circle and the less than convincing referee brandished a straight red card to the Charlton midfielder. There then followed a massive melee as players gathered around pushing each other, and it all became rather heated as players from both sides crazily waded in. After the dust settled there would be another red card, this time for Beattie after he had become embroiled in a scuffle with Kermorgant. Beattie raced into the crowd of players and put his hands to the throat of the Charlton player. It was a brainless act in the circumstances. There were further bookings for Kermorgant and Evans for their part in the scuffle.
Williams was booked after catching the pacey Addicks substitute Danny Hanyes as the board went up indicating five added minutes. And there was a let off for Hamer and the home side in the second of those, as Matt Lowton floated in a cross from the right and as the Charlton keeper back-tracked the ball flicked behind off the bar. Then Morrison cut out a low cross again from a Lowton cross, the follow-up from Quinn was also cut out and more pressure from United followed as Wiggins headed away from danger after the ball was nodded back in before McDonald headed the subsequent corner high over the bar. United continued pressing right until the end but they could not find an equaliser.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Charlton: Simonsen 6, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 6, Williams 6, Maguire 7, Collins 6, Doyle 7, McDonald 6, Quinn 7, Evans 6, Williamson 7, Cresswell 6, Beattie 4.

23rd January Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen rates team-mate Kevin McDonald as one of the best players currently in League One.

McDonald, 23, was a free summer signing following his release from Burnley in May, and after overcoming injury earlier in the season has established himself as a regular starter for Danny Wilson's side.

Simonsen said: "He's really blossomed has Kevin in the last few months. He struggled with a couple of niggling little injuries when he first came.

"But he's got a place in the midfield now and when you see him get the ball down he can do anything with it, he breaks play up, he gets his passes out, he knows when to steady things and he works ever so hard as well.

"The only thing that's missing from his game at the moment is a goal or two, but I've not seen anybody better on the ball in this league."

14th January Bury 0 Sheffield United 3 (Attendance: 6,970)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, McDonald, Williamson, Quinn (Williams 84), Cresswell (Beattie 89), Evans (Porter 89).

Subs Not Used: Long, Montgomery.

Scorers: Cresswell 54, Evans 62, Williamson 81.

Man Of The Match: Kevin McDonald.

Bury Line-up: Belford, Picken, Skarz, Sweeney, Worrall (John-Lewis 70), Schumacher, Bishop, Carrington (Coke 63), Sodje, Hughes, Amoo (Harrad 81)

Subs Not Used: Eastham, Branagan.

Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham).

Sheffield United completed the double over Bury to remain in the League One automatic promotion places. The first thing which was most apparent at kick off was the amount of travelling support that United had brought to Gigg Lane. Unitedites at both ends of the ground, with such a great following it must be like having a twelfth man throughout the game.
Manager Danny Wilson stayed with the same side that won 4-0 in midweek. The two strikers for United were Richard Cresswell and Ched Evans in a 4-4-2 formation. The Shakers had Efe Sodje back in central defence in place of loanee Ashley Eastham who dropped to the bench. David Worrall returned at the expense of Andrai Jones on the left wing, and Andy Bishop was the lone frontman in a 4-2-3-1 formation. After three minutes, Matt Lowton forced a save from goalkeeper Cameron Belford at his near post after the Blades full-back got the better of Joe Skarz. The home side’s best chance arrived on 21 minutes, Peter Sweeney passed through to David Amoo as he made his way into the right hand side of the box, but he blasted the ball across the face of the goal. Sweeney was back for more moments later, curling the ball into the box for Bishop to get his head to, but he was muscled off the ball.
A strong tackle from Mark Carrington set the ball off down the left wing on 28 minutes, and it was Steven Schumacher who tried a  long-range effort from outside the box. It was spilled by United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and the loose ball fell to Andy Bishop, but his follow-up shot was blocked. Cresswell somehow missed a close-range free header on 53 minutes after Lee Williamson dug out a cross from the right byline. But, Cresswell made up for his mistake moments later, taking a precise pass from Kevin McDonald forward one-on-one with Belford and he made no mistake to cleverly put the ball past the Bury keeper from the right of the box. David Worrall made the most of a Schumacher pass on 57 minutes, taking the ball into the left of the box before sending a cross in front of the United goal looking for Bishop, but Lescinel Jean-Francois cleared from in front of him. The Blades had their second on 63 minutes thanks to a neat finish from Evans on the right of the box, putting the ball past Belford from an acute angle.
A cross from Sodje on 67 minutes found Amoo with space and time to control the ball, but he sent it well over the bar instead. But United finished their hosts off with their third of the afternoon on 81 minutes courtesy of a neat curling finish from Williamson on the edge of the box. The Blades made three substitutions in the later stages and, after two minutes of added time the final whistle was blown to round off a fantastic team performance and another three points.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bury: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Collins 7, Maguire 7, Doyle 7, McDonald 8, Williamson 8, Quinn 8, Cresswell 8, Evans 8.

11th January Boss Danny Wilson said Sheffield United had "a good chance" of heading back to the Championship after their win over Yeovil. Lee Williamson scored twice in the second half to add to first-half goals from Richard Cresswell and Michael Doyle as the Blades climbed up to second place in the table with a 10th win in 11 games. Wilson said: "It was very good. I thought we played very well. The efforts were from players who were full of confidence. They are all technically very good and they have got goals in them.

"Defensively we were tremendous and aerially we won virtually every header. The wide boys caused problems all the time and the central midfielders passed very well. It was a great team effort. It puts us in second position and we can go to Bury in a buoyant mood.

"When you've got 50 points at this stage of the season, you're going to be in with a good chance. You've got to get the wins on the table and we're doing that."

10th January Sheffield United 4 Yeovil Town 0 (Attendance: 15,965)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Maguire, Collins, Doyle, Williamson (Montgomery 88), McDonald, Quinn, Cresswell (Porter 81), Evans (Beattie 81).

Subs Not Used: Long, M. Williams.

Booked: McDonald 85.

Scorers: Cresswell 18, Doyle 36, Williamson 48, 87.

Man Of The Match: Kevin McDonald.

Yeovil Line-up: Gilmartin, Ayling, Huntington, A. Williams, Upson, MacLean (N'Gala 45), G. Williams (Jones 88), Dickson, Ehmer, Wotton (Massey 45), Obika.

Subs Not Used: Agard, Stewart.

Booked: Williams 41.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Sheffield United closed the gap on Charlton to four points at the top of League One with a superb 4-0 win over Yeovil at the Lane. The Blades made several changes with Matt Lowton, Stephen Quinn and Richard Creswell all returning to the starting line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Yeovil’s new manager Gary Johnson, made three changes with Paul Wotton and Edward Upson back while there was a debut for loanee Ryan Dickson. The first opportunity of the match went to the visitors when Gavin Williams tried his luck from 30 yards out but flashed his shot just wide. After seven minutes, United had their first chance when the ball is sent across by Lecsinel Jean-Francois and Ched Evans had a shot but defender Paul Huntington got a block in. Straight after a shot from Kevin McDonald was also blocked by Huntington. On 14 minutes, Obika's pace took him around the outside of Harry Maguire and Williams was just inches from a tap in at the back post.
Then, Michael Doyle had a shot saved by Yeovil goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, but the big Watford loan keeper could do nothing to stop the Blades taking the lead on 17 minutes. Quinn delivered a super cross from close to the left corner flag and Cresswell met it with a perfect downward header to make it 1-0.

With 20 minutes elapsed, a corner taken right-footed by Upson to the near post was met by Wotton from 20 yards out but Quinn blocked his effort. The busy Yeovil keeper Gilmartin then saved again from Evans, looking to add to his seventeen goals this season while at the other end, Obika headed over after getting ahead of Jean-Francois at a cross. Just before the break Obika tested United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and Williams fired over after Ryan Dickson's cross. The Blades went two up with eight minutes of the first half remaining. Doyle's low effort from outside the 18 yard box skidded through a crowd of players and past a partially unsighted Gilmartin into the bottom right corner of the goal.
At the start of the second half the visitors brought on two substitutions, Bondz N'Gala on for Steven MacLean and Gavin Massey replacing Wotton. Three minutes into the second United made it 3-0 when Lowton laid the ball off for Williamson and his 20-yard striker found the top corner leaving Gilmartin helpless. There was a massive gulf between the two sides in terms of quality, and it  was never more evident with ten minutes left when Blades manager Danny Wilson reshuffled his cards and threw on strikers James Beattie along with Chris Porter, giving breathers to both Cresswell and Evans. Within six minutes remaining, it was game, set and match when Williamson grabbed his second, and United's fourth, with a near post effort that seemed to go through Gilmartin's legs. The only disappointment tonight was the attendance, but those stay away fair weather fans had missed a superb performance from United tonight. It was Championship football from the Blades.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Yeovil: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Doyle 8, Williamson 8, Montgomery -, McDonald 8, Quinn 8, Cresswell 8, Porter 7, Evans 7, Beattie 6.

7th January Sheffield United 3 Salisbury City 1 (Attendance: 10,488)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Ertl, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, Williamson (Chapell 78), McDonald, Flynn (Cresswell 51), Evans, Porter (Beattie 51).

Subs Not Used: Long, Williams, Montgomery, McAllister.

Scorers: Porter 18, Evans 60, Webb (og) 72.

Man Of The Match: Ryan Flynn

Salisbury Line-up: Scott, Brett, Adelsbury, Dutton, Giles, Anderson, Fitchett (Fitchett 82), Reid (Macklin 62), Williams, Webb, Clarke (Losasso 62).

Subs Not Used: Arthur, Casey, Kelly, Harris.

Scorer: Macklin 86.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).

Sheffield United swept aside non-league Salisbury City in the FA Cup at Bramall Lane to reach the fourth round. United made a couple of changes from the league match last week. Johnny Ertl made his first start of the season and Lee Williamson returned to the starting eleven. Nick Montgomery was on the bench, along with recent signing Marcus Williams and young winger Jordan Chapell. Salisbury boss Darrell Clarke named himself in his side, they also included Daniel Webb who is the son of Chelsea legend David Webb. The opening chances went to United, firstly Kevin McDonald had a shot blocked by Webb. Then an out swinging corner taken from the right by-line by Williamson allowed a chance for Neill Collins but goalkeeper Mark Scott made the save. The Blades were in total control and got their opener after 18 minutes had elapsed when Chris Porter deep inside the penalty box hit a low drive into the middle of the goal to make it 1-0.
Salisbury, who play in Conference South (6th division in the league structure) found themselves under constant pressure. Ryan Flynn sent in a cross, but Porters shot was saved by Scott and then another delivery by Flynn and a Kevin McDonald’s close range effort flew over the bar. The Salisbury keeper had been in inspired form, but at the half-time break the Blades must have wondered how it was still only a one goal lead, such had been their dominance throughout.
The second half started with United kicking towards an empty Shoreham Kop. With five minutes of the half gone, James Beattie was brought on as a substitute for Porter and Richard Cresswell came on for Flynn. The visitors, backed by over 1700 supporters, had a chance when the ball was swung over by Ben Adelsbury and but Williamson cleared for the Blades. A free kick was awarded for a foul by Michael Doyle on Stuart Anderson. Stuart Anderson delivered right-footed by from left wing and a save made by Steve Simonsen. Scottish midfielder Anderson then produced Salisbury’s best attempt of the match, a right-footed shot from just outside the box that missed to the right of the net by inches.
But just before the hour mark the Blades made it 2-0, albeit from a lucky deflection. A Lecsinel Jean-Francois shot was deflected and saved by goalie Scott, but from the rebound Evans diverted a shot by McDonald into the net. With 18 minutes remaining Evans on the right beat defender Ryan Brett and put a cross in which Salisbury defender Webb unfortunately put into his own goal. Evans and then Ertl had shots deflected wide, and Doyle had a headed attempt which went over.
Salisbury substitute Lloyd Macklin shot over, before the Blades made a substitution with Chapell replacing Williamson on the wing. With five minutes remaining Salisbury grabbed a consolation goal. Macklin gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the 18 yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. But, the Blades comfortably played out the remaining minutes to take their place in the fourth round.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Salisbury: Simonsen 6, Ertl 6, Jean-Francois 6, Collins 6, Maguire 7, Doyle 6, Williamson 7, Chapell 6, McDonald 7, Flynn 7, Cresswell 6, Evans 6, Porter 7, Beattie 6.

6th January United manager Danny Wilson hailed his staff and players after being named League One Manager of the Month for December. Wilson led the Blades to four wins from four league games during the month to strengthen the South Yorkshire side's promotion push. United fired 10 goals in those four victories and also beat Torquay in the FA Cup at the start of December to progress to the third round. Wilson commented: "The award is recognition for all the staff and players' hard work at the club and, whilst it is awarded to the manager, it is something that can only be achieved through everyone working together. "We have not achieved anything yet but if we continue this way, we have every chance of being in the right place at the end of the season."

2nd January Carlisle United 3 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 7,721)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Montgomery, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Doyle (Beattie 88), McDonald, Flynn (Williamson 75), Quinn, Porter (Cresswell 61), Evans.

Subs Not Used: Long, Ertl.

Booked: Collins 82.

Scorers: Evans 7, 45+1.

Man of The Match:. Ched Evans.

Carlsile Line-up: Collin, Ribeiro, Michalik, Murphy, Robson, Thirlwell, Berrett, Taiwo (Madden 82), McGovern, Zoko, Miller.

Subs Not Used: Gillespie, Livesey, Chantler, Mckenna.

Booked: Robson 20.

Scorers: Zoko 2, 15, McGovern 71.

Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire).

Jon-Paul McGovern fired a second-half winner to earn Carlisle a 3-2 victory and end Sheffield United's eight-game winning run. The Blades made two changes with Nick Montgomery and Stephen Quinn returning to the starting line-up. For the hosts, midfielder Tom Taiwo made his first start since the end of October as Liam Noble missed out on the last game of his current loan spell due to suspension.

It was a disastrous start for Danny Wilson’s men  when the  ball fell for McGovern, and he bided his time before sending a weighted pass forward for Francois Zoko. A neat piece of control from him took him past Harry Maguire, and he rushed on into the box before drilling it calmly into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. Minutes later and United got a equalising goal. First, Chris Porter was fouled just outside the Carlisle 18 yard box and Quinn delivered a high diagonal ball to the far post. Somehow Maguire managed to head back across goal and Ched Evans was lurking in the six yard box to slot home. The goal gave the Blades the momentum and they worked their way into the area again with Quinn finding space. He pulled the trigger but it was weak and Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin gathered low. The Cambrians’ fell asleep at a quick free kick when Ryan Flynn spotted Kevin McDonald unmarked, and his cut back was perfect for Evans. The in-form striker swung his boot through it and he was left disappointed as it ricocheted away to safety off the post.
The home side then scored their second when the Blades could only  half-clear a corner and then Paul Thirlwell delivered back into the box to Lee Miller who looked to be in a offside position but no flag was shown. Miller laid off for Zoko claim his second goal with a diving header. A ball from Evans across the edge of the 18 yard box allowed Quinn to spin and hit a shot which had Carlsile keeper  Collin well beaten but, yet again, the woodwork came into play for the hosts. Flynn reacted quickly but Ľubomír Michalik intervened with a challenge to prevent the tap-in. A cross from James Berrett caused problems  for United on the half hour and McGovern kept his eye on it as it fell nicely for the volley. He connected cleanly but Simonsen was in the right place to block it. The Blades ended the half on top when Evans broke through the Carlisle defence. An outstretched leg sent the shot away for a corner and just after, keeper Collin was suddenly very busy when he blocked on the goal line from point blank range from Quinn.

But the scores were made all-square when Evans took charge of a 20-yard free kick in time added on. His first shot came off the wall, then Murphy blocked a follow up from McDonald, but the alert Evans kept his eye on it and hit a superb volley past the wrong-footed keeper to double his own tally for the game.
Carlisle started the better in the second half when Tom Taiwo brought the first moment of concern for United. The midfielder blasted the ball past Simonsen but it was well cleared before Miller could react. Then a break down the right wing from McDonald and he centred to Evans and he got the better of  Michalík, but incredibly his shot came back off the post. Carlisle took the lead again when Murphy sent a diagonal ball from the touchline for McGovern, he was marked by United players but managed to play a  one-two with Miller before curling his shot into the bottom corner. The Blades pushed forward looking for another equaliser, and they almost got caught when  McGovern got to the bye line with a minute to go but Zoko wasted a great chance for his hat-trick, lifting his shot over the bar.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Carlisle: Simonsen 6, Montgomery 6, Jean-Francois 6, Collins 6, Maguire 6, Doyle 6, McDonald 7, Flynn 7, Williamson 6, Quinn 6, Porter 7, Cresswell 6, Evans 8.

1st January United have completed the permanent signing of defender Marcus Williams from Reading.

The 25-year-old, who has made 14 appearances for the Blades this season during a 93-day loan spell, is expected to be included in the squad for Monday's game at Carlisle.

The former Scunthorpe player commented "The loan spell went so quickly I couldn't believe it when it had ended. "I really enjoyed my time here and had no hesitation in signing for the Blades. I got thrown in at the deep end just after coming on loan and playing really quickly without even having met the players. "It looks like it will be a really exciting time for the club in 2012 and I think we have enough in us to push all the way to end of the season and hopefully to promotion." Manager Danny Wilson added: "He did very well when he first came in and offers us a lot of strength on the left-hand side. He's a good addition to the squad and, of course, we already know how well he'll fit in."