Danny Wilson felt lapses in concentration proved costly as they suffered a 3-2 home loss to Hartlepool. The Blades were unbeaten in the league at Bramall Lane and facing a team who had not won in their last 22 matches, but veteran striker Steve Howard headed Pools in front after seven minutes. Michael Doyle equalised courtesy of a mistake by goalkeeper Scott Flinders before lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan Ritchie Humphreys restored the visitors' lead early in the second half and Howard headed them a two-goal cushion after 72 minutes. Harry Maguire's stoppage-time strike was too little, too late for the Blades, who began the day top of the table but slipped to second place after their surprise defeat. "Overall, we can't really complain too much about the result because they took their chances better than we did and we defended poorly in key areas at key times in the game and that gave us a mountain to climb," said Wilson. "You've got to roll your socks up and have a go and in fairness to Hartlepool, they did that. We had the chances in the game and that's the biggest disappointment. We haven't constructed goals when we had good chances. "We had a very dodgy offside decision against us and we had a penalty turned down when Harry Maguire was brought down right at the end. If we had got one of those then it might have been a different game but unfortunately we didn't." Wilson added: "We missed Shaun Miller and Neill Collins greatly. Shaun has been a threat in recent games and Neill is a key defender for us. We also had Tony McMahon out. That created a big void in the team, with all due respect to the players who came in."
Sheffield United 2 Hartlepool United 3 ( Attendance: 19,941)
Blades Line-up : Long, Westlake, Williams, Maguire, Hill, Doyle (Cresswell 82), McDonald, Flynn, Blackman, Kitson (Ironside 82), Cofie (Chapell 67).
Unused: Coyne, McAllister, Philliskirk, Kennedy.
Man Of The Match: Michael Doyle.
Hartlepool Line-up: Flinders, Humphreys, Collins, Horwood, Franks (Monkhouse 80), Walton (Austin 69), Sweeney, Richards, Hartley, Wyke (Poole 60), Howard.
Unused: Baldwin, Holden, McHugh, James.
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).
Two goals from veteran striker Steve Howard helped Hartlepool to a surprise 3-2 success at Bramall Lane. Hartlepool ended their miserable 22-game winless run and the Blades unbeaten home league record. Full-back Ritchie Humphreys also found the net for the visitors, with Michael Doyle and Harry Maguire scoring for the Blades, who began the day top of League One but slip to second place after this shock defeat. Bottom-of-the-table Pools took a surprise seventh-minute lead when Howard headed home Evan Horwood's pin-point cross. Buoyed by that early goal, the visitors put the Blades defence under pressure for a spell with Howard missing the target after being put through on goal. Jonathan Franks also put an effort off target. The Blades then enjoyed a good spell of possession with Nick Blackman having a shot on the run saved by goalkeeper Scott Flinders. But a 30th-minute error from Flinders brought the Blades level, Doyle's 25-yard shot slipping through the goalkeeper's hands and into the back of the net. Humphreys put Hartlepool back in front with a near-post shot after 54 minutes, goalkeeper George Long got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Howard handed them a two-gaol cushion with a looping header from James Poole's cross in the 72nd minute. The visitors hung on until stoppage tim when Maguire's 12-yard finish made it 3-2 but it was too little, too late for Danny Wilson's side and boo's resounded around the Lane from the faithful after the final whistle.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Scunthorpe: Long 6 , Westlake 5 , Williams 5 , Maguire 6 , Hill 6 , Doyle 6 , Cresswell 6 , McDonald 5 , Flynn 6 , Blackman 6 , Kitson 5 , Ironside 6 , Cofie 5 , Chapell 6 .
Danny Wilson praised Sheffield United's performance as they brushed aside Scunthorpe 3-0 to maintain their lead at the top of League One. Shaun Miller gave the hosts a fourth-minute lead following a good run from deep and Scunthorpe never recovered from that early setback. After Scunthorpe's Damien Mozika hit the bar, Dave Kitson (55) headed a second goal and Nick Blackman's 84th-minute penalty completed the scoring after Tom Newey fouled Ryan Flynn inside the area. Wilson said: "I thought the performance was outstanding at times. Some of the football was terrific and the goals that we scored were top drawer. "We've had a big crowd and they've seen some good football and some good goals and it always whets the appetite for the next one. I hope we can repeat that on Saturday. We had to re-adjust following injuries to Shaun Miller and Neill Collins but I thought we settled down quickly.
"Shaun Miller has got as problem with his knee but we're not too sure about the extent of it. We're not too sure about him yet and it will be at least 48 hours before it can be assessed. "There's more clarity with Neill Collins' injury. We think he's fractured his cheekbone so he's in hospital. It was quite depressed so it looks like he'll be out for a few weeks. Unfortunately, this happens in football at times and you have to accept it and move on."
Sheffield United 3 Scunthorpe United 0 ( Attendance: 21,819)
Blades Line-up : Long, Maguire, Hill, Flynn, Doyle, Blackman, McDonald, Miller (Cofie 45), Kitson (Cresswell 86), N. Collins (Williams 50), McMahon.
Unused: Coyne, Westlake, McAllister, Ironside.
Man Of The Match: Dave Kitson.
Scunthorpe Line-up: Mildenhall, Ribeiro, Reid, Ryan (Ellington 63), Mozika, Barcham, Canavan, Duffy (Kennedy 90), M. Collins, Newey, Hawley (Djezeri 78).
Unused: Slocombe, Grella, Gibbons, Godden.
Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).
Goals from Shaun Miller, Dave Kitson and Nick Blackman gave League One leaders Sheffield United a 3-0 win at home to Scunthorpe. Miller ran from deep before slotting a low shot past goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall to give the hosts a fourth-minute lead at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day. Scunthorpe went close to equalising before the break when Damien Mozika's header came back off the crossbar and George Long saved Andy Barcham's follow up. Long also kept out a Tom Newey free-kick towards the end of the first half while, at the other end, Miller had a shot deflected wide. Kitson extended the Blades lead after 56 minutes, meeting Tony McMahon's free-kick with a firm header. After Newey was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Flynn in the area, Blackman rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Scunthorpe: Long 6 , Maguire 6 , Hill 6 , Flynn 6 , Doyle 7 , Blackman 6 , McDonald 7 , Miller 7 , Cofie 6 , Kitson 8 , N. Collins 7 , Williams 6 , McMahon 7 .
Crawley Town 0 Sheffield United 2 ( Attendance: 4,604)
Blades Line-up : Long, Maguire, Hill, Flynn, Doyle, Blackman (Williams 90), McDonald, Miller (Cofie 81), Kitson (Ironside 70), Collins, McMahon.
Unused: Coyne, Westlake, McAllister, McFadzean.
Man Of The Match: Tony McMahon.
Crawley Line-up: P. Jones, Hunt, Sadler, Connolly, Walsh, Bulman (Clarke 67), Simpson, Akpan, M. Jones, Adams, Alexander (Akinde 75).
Unused: Torres, Clifford, Ajose, Davis, Kuipers.
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).
Tony McMahon netted twice to lead Sheffield United back to the top of League One with a 2-0 victory at Crawley. The Blades full-back blasted home free-kicks in either half to lead Sheffield United back to the top of npower League One with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Crawley. United broke the deadlock in the 29h minute when Joe Walsh was penalised for a foul on Shaun Miller and defender McMahon drilled home a 30-yard free-kick to notch his first goal for the Blades. And Danny Wilsons' men doubled their advantage in identical fashion after 71 minutes when McMahon curled in a free-kick from 30 yards after Walsh had brought down Blades substitute Joe Ironside. The Blades, who have only conceded eight goals away from home in the league this season, were solid throughout at the back and midfielder Kevin McDonald came close to adding a third late on when his shot was saved by Crawley goalkeeper Paul Jones. On a heavy pitch covered with piles of sand, striker Dave Kitson had gone close for United early on with a deflected shot over the crossbar following McDonald's pass.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Crawley: Long 6 , Maguire 7 , Hill 7 , Flynn 7 , Doyle 7 , Blackman 6 , McDonald 7 , Miller 6 , Cofie 6 , Kitson 7 , Ironside 6 , Collins 8 , McMahon 8 .
Danny Wilson felt United's defensive efforts outstripped their attacking threat in the goalless draw with Tranmere. In a match dominated by defences, clear-cut opportunities were at a premium although both sides had chances to snatch a win. United, missing influential midfielder Kevin McDonald due to injury, found themselves under the cosh during the early exchanges but still forced the two first chances of note with Nick Blackman blazing over following an exchange of passes with Ryan Flynn and Tony McMahon forcing an excellent save from Owain Fon Williams. Jake Cassidy and Andy Robinson went close for Rovers after the break while Blackman shot wide from an acute angle.
Wilson said: "We knew how hard Tranmere were going to be. You've only got to look at the table to see that. "They are where they are on merit and we are too. "In a sense, it was a bit frustrating because we went into that match wanting all three points. "Defensively, though, I thought we were superb and so that was very pleasing. "We just needed a little bit more magic up front, perhaps a little bit more patience at times. But we've got some young lads up there and so that's to be expected."
Sheffield United 0 Tranmere Rovers 0 ( Attendance: 19,163)
Blades Line-up : Long, McMahon, Hill, Maguire, Collins, Williams (McAllister 74), Doyle, Flynn, Blackman, Porter (Kitson 63), Miller.
Unused: Coyne, Westlake, McFadzean, Cresswell, Cofie.
Man Of The Match: Harry Maguire.
Tranmere Line-up: Fon Williams, Holmes, Taylor, Goodison, Palmer, Cassidy, Robinson (Thompson 75), McGurk, Bakayogo, Power, O'Halloran.
Unused: Black, Harrison, Stockton, Kay, Daniels, Mooney.
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
The anticipated fireworks failed to materialise at Bramall Lane as promotion rivals Sheffield United and Tranmere played out a 0-0 draw. However, when the final whistle blew, there was little doubt as to who was the more satisfied with the result as Rovers boss Ronnie Moore punched the air in delight while United trooped off the pitch to a chorus of boos. First and third in the table before kick-off, United and Rovers spent the majority of the match involved in an arm-wrestle. The visitors made the brighter start but it was Danny Wilson's men who forged the better opportunities with Nick Blackman blazing over the crossbar after exchanging passed with Ryan Flynn and the returning Tony McMahon forcing an excellent save from Owain Fon Williams. Tranmere top scorer Jake Cassidy followed suit with a long-range free-kick before Andy Robinson deposited the ball on the roof of United's net with an in-swinging set-piece midway through the second half. Adam McGurk also went close but Blackman should have scored during the closing stages after powering beyond Zoumana Bakayogo only to shoot wastefully wide.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Tranmere: Long 6 , McMahon 7 , Hill 7 , Maguire 8 , Collins 8 , Williams 6 , McAllister 6 , Doyle 6 , Flynn 6 , Blackman 6 , Porter 6 , Kitson 6 , Miller 6 .
Carlisle United 1 Sheffield United 3 ( Attendance: 4,892)
Blades Line-up : Long, Westlake, Hill, Maguire, Collins, Doyle, Flynn, McDonald
(McAllister 48), Blackman, Porter (Ironside 81), Miller.
Unused: Coyne, Williams, Kennedy, McFadzean, Cofie.
Man Of The Match: Nick Blackman.
Carlisle Line-up: Collin, Robson, McGovern, Livesey, Noble, Cadamarteri (Beck 61), Thirlwell, Edwards, Potts, Garner, Chantler (Symington 45).
Unused : Welsh, Loy, Todd, Gillespie, Gjokaj.
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).
Ryan Flynn and Nick Blackman set Sheffield United on their way to a 3-1 win overCarlisle, who crashed to a seventh home defeat of the season. Neil Collins slammed in a third for the Blades late on after Danny Livesey's header had given Carlisle fleeting hopes of a revival. Once again Carlisle's defensive problems, which had seen them lose their last three home games, resurfaced in the 16th minute as Blackman's cross from the right was allowed to reach Flynn at the far post, leaving him the simple task of prodding the ball past goalkeeper Adam Collins. Blades increased their lead in the 34th minute when Blackman skipped past. Bradley Potts and squeezed his shot beyond Collin from the tightest of angles. Twice in the space of a minute Carlisle were robbed by the woodwork, first Liam Noble's lob from the edge of the area hit the crossbar then Dave Symington's raking 25-yarder bounced back into play off the post. Carlisle got their reward in the 71st minute when Livesey's header from a Jon-Paul McGovern corner found the net from eight yards. But the Blades went 3-1 ahead in the 84th minute when Michael Doyle's goalbound effort was finished off by Collins right under the crossbar.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Carlisle : Long 6 , Westlake 6 , Hill 7 , Maguire 6 , Collins 7 , Doyle 7 , Flynn 7 , McDonald 6 , McAllister 7 , Blackman 8 , Porter 6 , Ironside 6 , Miller 6 .
Coventry City 1 Sheffield United 1 (4-1 pens) ( Attendance: 10,162)
Blades Line-up : Long, Westlake, Williams, Hill, Maguire, Doyle, McAllister, Flynn, McFadzean (Chapell 66), Cresswell (Ironside 72), Cofie (De Girolamo 72) .
Unused: Coyne, Philliskirk
Man Of The Match: Michael Doyle.
Coventry Line-up: Murphy, Baker, McSheffrey, Jennings, Christie, Wood, Edjenguele, McGoldrick, Moussa (Fleck 76), Bailey, Adams.
Unused : Clarke, Dunn, Barton, O'Donovan.
Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).
Coventry clinched a place in the JPT Northern Area semi-finals with a 4-1 win on penalties against United after a 1-1 draw. In a tightly-fought contest at the Ricoh Arena, it took a Harry Maguire own goal in the 57th minute to break the deadlock, but United drew level in the 80th minute through David McAllister. An even first half saw Richard Cresswell shoot over the crossbar for the Blades in the first minute, while Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy did well to repel Michael Doyle's long-range volley. The home side broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when midfielder Steve Jennings ran beyond the United defence and was found by James Bailey. Jennings' cross was aimed at David McGoldrick but was turned into the net by centre-back Maguire. United drew level with 10 minutes to go when Doyle's shot was parried by Murphy and McAllister reacted first. Maguire's night got even worse when it came to penalties as he saw his spot-kick saved by Murphy and then Ryan Flynn blasted over, allowing John Fleck to send Coventry through.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Coventry : Long 6 , Westlake 6 , Williams 6 , Hill 6 , Maguire 6 , Doyle 7 , McAllister 7 , Flynn 6 , McFadzean 7 ,Chapell 6 , Cresswell 6 , Ironside 7 , Cofie 6 , De Girolamo 6 .
Sheffield United 2 Port Vale 1 ( Attendance: 10,215)
Blades Line-up : Long, Westlake, Maguire, Hill, Flynn, Doyle, Porter (Cresswell 87), Blackman, Miller, Collins (Williams 45), McAllister (Cofie 66).
Unused: Coyne, Philliskirk, Ironside, McFadzean.
Man Of The Match: Shaun Miller.
Port Vale Line-up: Neal, Yates, McCombe, Myrie Williams (Dodds 76), Vincent (Taylor 85), Pope, McDonald, Williamson (Andrew 76), James, Burge, Duffy.
Unused : Loft, Johnson, Shuker, Davis.
Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).
Shaun Miller scored two dramatic last-gasp goals to give Sheffield United a memorable 2-1 FA Cup second-round win at home to Port Vale. Vale had led until the 90th minute thanks to Tom Pope's 21st goal of the season but visiting boss Micky Adams was to endure a miserable return to Bramall Lane, 18 months after his sacking. Vale's Clayton McDonald was fortunate not to turn the ball into his own net early on when he diverted Chris Porter's low cross straight at goalkeeper Chris Neal. The dangerous Pope put Ben Williamson through on goal but George Long did well to block with his legs. Yet Pope made no mistake himself as he put the visitors in front after 33 minutes, firing low past Long after receiving the ball from Jennison Myrie-Williams. The Blades started brightly after the break and only a superb save from Neal, down low to his left, prevented Porter's header from finding the net. Miller then wasted a golden opportunity, missing the target from close range with a downward header from Nick Blackman's cross. But he atoned with a 90th-minute equaliser after getting on to the end of a deep ball from Ryan Flynn, before then pouncing for the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Flynn's shot had been parried.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Port Vale: Long 6 , Westlake 6 , Maguire 6 , Hill 7 , Flynn 7 , Doyle 7 , Porter 6 , Blackman 7 , Miller 8 , Collins 6 , Williams 6 , McAllister 6 , Cofie 6 .