Wolves moved back to within one point of the First Division leadership with victory over 10-man Sheffield United at Molineux. The Blades, who were unbeaten in their previous eight matches, were reduced to 10 men by the 24th-minute dismissal of Paul Devlin for a reckless challenge. United's hopes went downhill as Devlin walked up the tunnel.

Wolves, who had won only one of their previous six games, took time to make the extra man count although the outstanding Alex Rae had tested keeper Simon Tracey from 25 yards. Colin Cameron then toe-poked agonisingly wide after a fine run into the area while Rae cut in from the left to power a low shot wide of the far post. Wolves were well on top despite Devlin's well-saved early shot and they thoroughly deserved the lead given to them in first-half stoppage time.

Dean Sturridge became their joint leading scorer on six after only nine appearances when he seized possession, took a few strides forward and drove home low and right-footed from almost 25 yards. Blades substitute Peter Ndlovu twice brought comfortable saves from Michael Oakes from outside the area before Nathan Blake headed narrowly wide from Mark Kennedy's corner at the other end. Shaun Newton was then denied by Tracey from an angle from a one-on-one chance and Kennedy blazed wide of the far post from a similar opportunity.

Wolves should have been out of sight by the time substitute Cedric Roussel saw a volley blocked by Tracey and cleared from near the line by Robert Page. It was only Wolves' second win in seven matches and was a vital response to their Boxing Day second-half collapse against Preston.

Teams

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Butler, Pollet, Camara, Newton, Cameron, Rae, Kennedy, Blake (Roussel 83), Sturridge.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Andrews, Miller, Murray.

Booked: Camara.

Goals: Sturridge 45.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Page, Murphy, Nicholson, Ford, Santos, Tonge (Montgomery 77), Devlin, Suffo (Ndlovu 45), Asaba (D'Jaffo 77).

Subs Not Used: Curle, de Vogt.

Sent Off: Devlin (26).

Booked: Devlin.

Att: 24,138

Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).

BANTAMS BLOWN AWAY BY BLADES
BRADFORD CITY 1-2 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Managerless Bradford slid to their third defeat in a row as Carl Asaba scored both goals for their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Valley Parade. Asaba scored both goals for the Blades, who had to withstand a sustained spell of Bradford pressure in the last half-hour before securing their victory. Bradford, without a manager following the resignation of Jim Jefferies on Christmas Eve, fell behind after 12 minutes.

Shane Nicholson's free-kick was headed down on the edge of the penalty area by Paul Devlin, and Asaba rifled a low shot into the corner which gave goalkeeper Gary Walsh no chance. United thoroughly deserved their lead because they had almost gone ahead in the seventh minute when Georges Santos' goalbound header was cleared off the line by Wayne Jacobs. They continued to be the more threatening side - and it needed a brilliant save from Walsh to keep out a fierce, angled shot from Devlin in the 28th minute.

Striker Robbie Blake was Bradford's most dangerous player and he twice went close to scoring before Eoin Jess saw his free-kick turned round the post by Simon Tracey on the stroke of half-time. Bradford, who had the misfortune to lose midfield player Gary Locke with a shin injury just before the interval, fell further behind after 54 minutes when a misunderstanding between Walsh and central defender Andy Tod gave Asaba a simple goal.

But the Bantams hit back strongly and deservedly scored after 60 minutes when Jacobs crossed for striker Ashley Ward to net from close range. Blake almost equalised a minute later, forcing Tracey to turn away his shot for a corner - and Bradford dominated the closing stages as United defended desperately to maintain their lead. Four Bradford players were booked - captain Stuart McCall, Locke, Ward and substitute Lee Makel - while Santos had his name taken for the Blades.

Teams:

Bradford City: Walsh, Caldwell, Molenaar, Tod, Locke (Makel 45), Jess, McCall, Etherington, Jacobs, Ward, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Sharpe, Juanjo, Grant, Worsnop.

Booked: McCall, Locke, Ward, Makel.

Goals: Ward 60.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Page, Murphy, Nicholson, Devlin, Tonge, Santos, Brown, Suffo (Montgomery 78), Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Ford, Ndlovu, Sandford, de Vogt.

Booked: Santos.

Goals: Asaba 12, 54.

Att: 18,869

Ref: M Messias (York).

TOY TOWN DRAW WITH BATTLING BLADES
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-2 ROTHERHAM UNITED

Rotherham staged a spirited late comeback at Bramall Lane to claim a share of the points in a fierce South Yorkshire derby in Nationwide Division One. Two goals in the opening quarter of an hour after half-time looked to have given United all three points. Patrick Suffo and Paul Devlin had given the Blades a two-goal lead and it could have been more as United twice hit the bar in the first half.

In the third minute Suffo beat Mike Pollitt only to see his shot rebound off the bar. Next it was Shaun Murphy's turn but his header was tipped onto the bar by Pollitt. It was the lively front duo of Suffo and Paul Peschisolido who caused Rotherham most trouble in a gritty but mostly dull first half. The game sprang to life after the break as United's two goals spurred Rotherham into action.

They pulled a goal back on 66 minutes through skipper Kevin Watson. He drove the ball home from 18 yards after a fine run and cross from Paul Warne. For the next 10 minutes United were under constant pressure but could twice have extended their lead through Peschisolido, whose first effort was saved by Pollitt in a one-on-one situation.

The Canadian then saw his second effort fly inches wide from the corner. Rotherham continued to press but it was United who had the next chance as Peter Ndlovu had a clear chance blocked from eight yards after Peschisolido's good work. United were left to rue their missed chances as Rotherham equalised with 12 minutes to go. Watson's free-kick from the right was met by Chris Swailes who planted his free header past the stranded Simon Tracey.

The second half was a true derby clash but Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock will be left wondering how his side did not claim all three points. Ronnie Moore, however, will be delighted with the determination that his players showed.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Murphy, Page, Curle, Montgomery (Devlin 45), Santos, Brown, Ndlovu, Peschisolido, Suffo (D'Jaffo 76).

Subs Not Used: Sandford, Tonge, de Vogt.

Booked: Suffo, Uhlenbeek, Santos.

Goals: Suffo 48, Devlin 61.

Rotherham: Pollitt, Scott, McIntosh, Swailes, Hurst, Sedgwick, Mullin, Watson, Monkhouse (Warne 45), Robins (Daws 64), Richard Barker.

Subs Not Used: Beech, Gray, Branston.

Booked: McIntosh, Swailes, Watson.

Goals: Watson 66, Swailes 78.

Att: 22,749

Ref: P Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).

DINGLES FIRST AWAY WIN, THEN PESCH SCORES
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BARNSLEY

Paul Peschisolido's late strike rescued a point for the Blades and denied Barnsley their first away league win of the season. The Canadian international was gifted the equaliser eight minutes from time thanks to a howler from Tykes keeper Kevin Miller. Mike Sheron's fifth goal in two games looked to have given the Tykes three precious points before Peschisolido stepped up to spoil the party.

Sheron had gone close to giving the visitors the lead as early as the ninth minute. The striker's turn and shot rebounding off United's left-hand post after Kevin Donovan's ball into the box. United did not get into the game until the 28th minute. Michael Brown's free-kick was headed back into the danger area by Shaun Murphy, but Carl Asaba saw his shot deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting set piece Peschisolido's close-range effort was ruled out for off-side. United, whose six-year winless streak against their South Yorkshire rivals continues, maintained their offensive.

Shane Nicholson's corner was met by the head of Murphy, to force Miller to push the ball onto the bar. Peschisolido again caused the visitors trouble when he cut in from the by-line before shooting to force Miller to a fine save. Barnsley's only real shot on goal during the opening period came in the 40th minute when Sheron's 20-yard drive was stopped by United keeper Simon Tracey.

After the break it was the Tykes who began strongly. Gary Jones seeing his 25-yarder deflected wide for a corner. Barnsley then broke the deadlock on 58 minutes. Chris Lumsdon and Bruce Dyer combined to set up Sheron, who created space for himself before curling a 22-yard effort to Tracey's left hand corner. United looked rattled and Sheron went close with a 10-yard header which failed to hit the target.

United pushed everyone forward in an attempt to gain something and substitute Bobby Ford's lofting 20-yard shot was pushed clear by a full-stretched Miller. But the home side were not to be denied a share of the spoils and levelled eight minutes from time. Peschisolido raced onto a looped Brown pass over the Barnsley defence. Miller flew out of his area in an attempt to snuff out the danger, but was beaten by the Blades striker, who steered the ball goalwards from an acute angle.

Even then it looked unlikely to hit the net as Dave Mulligan slid back onto his own line. But the ball became trapped under Mulligan's legs, then rolled agonisingly over the line as the defender's slide continued.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Nicholson, Page, Murphy, Brown, Montgomery (Ford 63), Ndlovu (Suffo 75), Santos, Peschisolido (Tonge 90), Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Sandford, de Vogt.

Booked: Santos, Brown.

Goals: Peschisolido 81.

Barnsley: Miller, Mulligan (O'Callaghan 87), Barker, Chettle, Crooks, Donovan, Lumsdon, Gary Jones, Barnard, Sheron, Dyer (McSwegan 83).

Subs Not Used: Neil, Bertos, Marriott.

Booked: Lumsdon, Dyer.

Goals: Sheron 58.

Att: 17,858

Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).

HAWTHORNS HEAVEN
WEST BROMICH ALBION 0-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED

A superb goal in the dying seconds from striker Carl Asaba earned 10-man United a valuable victory against high-flying West Brom. Neil Warnock's battlers were reduced in the ranks with 10 minutes left on the clock when defender Shane Nicholson was given his marching orders against his former club after picking up his second yellow card of the game. But United continued to battle fiercely and they stretched their unbeaten run to five games when the hard-working Asaba crowned a marvellous injury-time move engineered by Paul Peschisolido.

The former Albion hitman made a determined run along the right wing before chipping in a shot from 30 yards that beat keeper Russell Hoult only to hit the woodwork. The ball rebounded out and Asaba who charged through the middle was perfectly positioned to dive and nod the ball into the back of the Albion net. It was always the home side who held the edge but they continually failed in front of the target and they have now tasted success just once in eight games this season against teams at the wrong end of the table.

United should have broken the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Asaba blasted in a cracking shot from 25 yards only for Hoult to stretch and fingertip the ball over the crossbar. Then, in the 79th minute, the tigerish Peschisolido got in a close-range header that looked certain to hit the net only for Hoult to claw the ball away. It was only in the dying stages that Albion looked impressive and they came desperately close when substitute Warren Cummings got in a shot that was just booted off the line by defender Georges Santos.

Albion started brightly with striker Scott Dobie having a low drive pushed wide by the diving Simon Tracey. Then Portuguese midfielder Jordao was guilty of poor marksmanship when he fired his shot wide from a good position after working a neat one-two with Danny Dichio.

Teams:

West Brom: Hoult, Sigurdsson, Moore, Gilchrist (Cummings 82), Balis, McInnes, Adam Chambers, Jordao (Fox 69), Clement, Dobie (Taylor 51), Dichio.

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Lyttle.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Montgomery, Sandford, Murphy, Nicholson, Ndlovu, Brown, Santos, Tonge (Uhlenbeek 77), Peschisolido (Jagielka 90), Asaba.

Subs Not Used: de Vogt, Ford, Suffo.

Sent Off: Nicholson (80).

Booked: Sandford, Asaba, Nicholson.

Goals: Asaba 90.

Att: 19,462

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).

BLADES BATTLE HARD TO DRAW
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-2 PRESTON NORTH END

Sheffield United produced a stirring second half fightback to save a point against promotion chasers Preston North End. Goals from Paul Peschisolido and Georges Santos earned United a point and gave manager Neil Warnock the perfect 53rd birthday present. It had looked as those to first-half strikes from in-form partnership David Healy and Richard Cresswell had given Preston the points in a see-saw game.

Healy opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a deflected strike from a free kick 25 yards out. The ball strucked the United wall and wrong-footed goalkeeper Simon Tracey who should still have saved Healy's effort. Cresswell doubled Preston's advantage on the stroke of half-time as a throughball was laid into his path by his partner Healy. Cresswell held off the challenge of United's defender Ben Doane to stir the ball pass the helpless Tracey. It was tough luck on United who had pressed forward in search of an equaliser after Healy's opener.

Carl Asaba, Nick Montgomery and Peschisolido all should of scored but for wayward shooting. United began the second half as they needed to when Peschisolido turned and hammed home an unstoppable 30-yard shot past Preston keeper David Lucas. The turning point of the game came when Cresswell had another effort disallowed for offside.

Shortly afterwards Peschisolido broke down the left wing to feed Patrick Suffo whose cross found Santos unmarked at back post to tap in from two yards. United could have won the game right at the death when Suffo's shot went straight at Lucas from just 12 yards out after Santos' clever header.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Doane, Nicholson, Page, Curle, Brown, Ndlovu (Suffo 77), Montgomery, Santos, Peschisolido (Ford 89), Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Sandford, Tonge, de Vogt.

Booked: Peschisolido.

Goals: Peschisolido 47, Santos 80.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Edwards, Murdock, Lucketti, Gregan, Cartwright, Rankine, McKenna, Healy (Macken 72), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Eaton, Keane, Basham, Lonergan.

Booked: Gregan.

Goals: Healy 13, Cresswell 45.

Att: 16,270

Ref: M Pike (Barrow-in-Furness).

BLADES WIN IN MIDLANDS
WALSALL 1-2 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Leicester referee Paul Danson was the central figure of this match at Bescot Stadium when he sent off two players in the first half. He showed the red card to Sheffield defender Ben Doan in the 30th minute for a tackle on Pedro Matias which looked no more than a yellow card. Then he red-carded Walsall defender Ian Roper in stoppage time at the end of the first half and awarded the Blades a penalty when Paul Peschisolido was bundled over just inside the box.

Before anyone had been sent for an early bath Walsall had taken a 20th-minute lead with a brilliant goal, skipper Tom Bennett releasing Darren Byfield down the left and from his cross Darren Wrack ran in to send a header just inside the far post. The Blades fought back strongly after that and busy winger Nick Montgomery cut across the box before sending in a clever chip which James Walker, at full stretch, just managed to tip over.

Mr Danson then booked Byfield for a challenge on Shane Nicholson who was trying to shield the ball out of play but Sheffield were level in the 43rd minute. Zigor Aranalde tried to be clever on the ball instead of clearing first time, was robbed by Michael Brown who burst forward, saw his shot rebound off Walker and followed up to bury the rebound.

And the game was completely transformed deep into stoppage time before the interval when Walsall defender Tony Barras was caught in two minds about clearing first time, Peschisolido robbed him and went down as Roper tried to clear. Roper was sent off and Nicholson hammered in a low penalty for what proved to be the winning goal.

In the second half Walsall had most of the play but simply could not beat Blade's excellent keeper Simon Tracey. The Saddlers sent on three substitutes in the 61st minute hoping that fresh legs would bring them an equaliser, but one of the newcomers, Jorge Leitao chipped over the empty net after good work by Byfield. Sheffield were dangerous in their occasional counter-raids and Walker had to make a fine save from Peter Ndlovu when he cut in after receiving a fine pass from Georges Santos.

With two minutes left Tracey pulled off a brilliant point-blank save to deny Leitao, then he was back on his feet to keep out a follow up effort from Wrack. In the last minute of stoppage time the Blades almost grabbed their third on the break, Ndlovu cutting in to hit a low drive which Walker just managed to turn past the near post.

teams:Walsall: Walker, Arandale, Barras, Roper, Gadsby, Bennett, Thorgesen (Simpson 61), Matias (Herielto 61), Angell (Leitao 61), Wrack, Byfield. Unused: Harper, Biancalani.
Booked: Byfield 39, Gadsby 60.
Sent Off: Roper 45.
Goals: Wrack 21.Blades: Tracey, Doane, Nicholson, Page, Sandford, Brown, Santos, Montgomery, Asaba (Jagielka 84), Peschisolido (Suffo 78), Ndlovu. Unused: De Vogt, Ullathorne, Tonge.
Booked: Asaba 45, Page 61.
Sent Off: Doane 30.
Goals: Brown 43, Nicholson 45 (pen).

BLADES TOO SHARP FOR BLUES BOYZ
SHEFFIELD UNITED 4-0 BIRMINGHAM CITY

The Blades fans left Bramall Lane feeling very happy after taking three points off managerless Birmingham City after winning 4-0. To the fans that didnt go this would look like a easy victory tothe Sheffielders, this however was not true. In the first half neither side looked to really do anything but it was United who took the lead with 15 minutes gone after Asaba flicked the ball over Purse and Graingers head to thread in Nick Montgomery who finished off from 14 yards out from a first time shot which cought the keeper flat footed. Birmingham had most of the chances but still looked like a goal would not come.

The second half however was very different, Birmingham were deterimed to score and very nearly did, they had all of the ball until, like the first goal another one came with 15 minutes played, United had a free-kick just in Uniteds half behind the half way line, it was captain Keith Curle who took the free-kick, it looped into the City penalty area and was headed out by Steve Vickers, the ball fell to midfielder Michael Brown and from all of 30 yards controlled then volleyed home past Nico Vaesen. The goal stuned Birmingham for the rest of the game and they never put on any presure, there best chance came on the left right wing when a cross found Geoff Horsefield who could only head the ball into Traceys hands from 6 yards out.

2-0 up to United and its now time for the Paul Preschisolido show, his first goal came with 11 minutes left, Brown had won the ball on the half way line and charged at the defence, he found himself in the penalty area and Fleming took the ball off Brown hoping that the ball would fall to Purse, it didnt but Peschisoldo fired home past the helpless keeper. The Blades fourth goal came from some handy work from Peter Ndlovu who was brounght down and the ball fell to Carl Asaba who passed it to Peschisoldo, Peschisolido crossed it to Montgomery on the left wing, and Nick Montgomery crossed for Peschisolido to head home.

Birmingham again had a few chances but one of them struck the bar from Andy Johnson. United won 4-0 and Karren Brady the Birmingham Director was left unhappy as her husband had slapped two past his old team.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Doane, Page, Curle, Nicholson, Montgomery, Brown, Santos (Jagielka 86), Ndlovu, Peschisolido (Suffo 90), Asaba.
Subs Not Used: Sandford, Tonge, de Vogt.
Booked: Ndlovu.

Goals: Montgomery 16, Brown 65, Peschisolido 79, 82.

Birmingham: Vaesen, Fleming, Purse, Vickers, Grainger, Eaden, O'Connor, Luntala (Woodhouse 45), Marcelo (Andrew Johnson 45), Horsfield, Mooney.
Subs Not Used: Burrows, Ferrari, Bennett.
Booked: Marcelo, Mooney, O'Connor, Woodhouse, Grainger.

Att: 15,686

Ref: R Pearson (Peterlee).

WOMBLES FIGHT BACK
WIMBLEDON 1-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Kevin Cooper scored an equaliser two minutes from time to hand the Dons a share of the points in tonight's Nationwide Division One clash with shot-shy Sheffield United.For half an hour during the second period, lowly United looked as though they would achieve the unexpected and grab a rare win on their travels, after netting their first goal in six away games through George Santos.Last season, Wimbledon's promotion challenge was halted by their inability to win at Selhurst Park.

They have failed to shake off the hoodoo so far in this campaign, with Terry Burton's troops winning only of their nine home league fixtures.The absence of club captain Kenny Cunningham and top scorer David Connolly - both on international duty with the Republic of Ireland - did not help The Dons' bid to claim maximum points.They should have had the three points wrapped up after four minutes but stand-in striker David Neilsen and teenager Jodi McAnuff proved wasteful in front of goal.

The absence of Connolly, who has netted nine goals for the Dons this term, looks costly as the remainder of the Wimbledon attacking cast looks short of confidence with the goal at their mercy.With barely a minute gone Neilsen should have scored when played through by McAnuff - but the striker could only shoot straight at Blades keeper Simon Tracey.And the striker fared no better 30 seconds later, shooting off target from 20 yards.

McAnuff was no better in front of goal, flashing wide of the target two minutes before the break.Former West Brom midfielder Santos, who scored his first goal of the season from a Shane Nicholson free-kick 10 minutes after the interval, looked to have handed the visitors an undeserved victory.Burton gambled in the second period, introducing long term injury victim Trond Andersen and reserve striker Patrick Agyemang - and the move nearly paid immediate dividends.

After a Tracey mistake, Agyemang found himself with the goal at his mercy but could only fire high over the bar.However, Agyemang repaid his manager's faith with the all-important cross on 88 minutes, allowing Wimbledon left-winger Cooper to slide in at the back post and save Wimbledon from defeat.

Teams:

Wimbledon: Davis, Darlington, Willmott, Brown, Hawkins, Cooper, Hughes, Roberts (Andersen 65), McAnuff, Nielsen (Agyemang 65), Shipperley.

Subs Not Used: Holloway, Feuer, Leigertwood.

Goals: Cooper 88.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Doane, Curle, Page, Nicholson, Montgomery, Tonge (Jagielka 90), Brown, Santos, Ndlovu, Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Peschisolido, Ford, D'Jaffo, de Vogt.

Booked: Nicholson, Curle.

Goals: Santos 57.

Att: 4,937

Ref: C Foy (St. Helens).

TAYLOR MADE
BURNLEY 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Gareth Taylor wore the biggest grin as Burnley got back on track with victory over Sheffield United to lift themselves up among the First Division play-off contenders.Taylor scored his fifth goal of the season to put his former club on their way to a disappointing defeat which increases the relegation threat now hanging over the Blades.Taylor was not worrying too much about that, though - he was too busy celebrating a superb goal on the half-hour.A sweet, flowing move down the left ended with a perfectly delivered cross from former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Lee Briscoe - and Taylor dived forward ahead of a hesitant Blades defence to score low in the bottom corner.

Michael Brown, easily the most impressive visitor on view, almost equalised within seconds - but his shot on the run bounced back off the base of a post.The Blades immediately had more reason to rue their misfortune when Burnley grabbed the crucial second goal, veteran midfielder Paul Cook's speculative shot catch a wicked deflection to fool Simon Tracey.The second half was something of a non-event - although Burnley's best player Glen Little twice went close to adding a third.The gifted winger first saw a header fly wide and then, after jinking past two defenders, watched in disbelief as his shot slipped through Tracey's hands before rolling along the line to safety.

Burnley were value for their first win in three attempts, but United boss Neil Warnock must be getting concerned about his off-key side.

Teams

Burnley: Michopoulos, West, Briscoe, Cox, Gnohere, Grant, Cook (Johnrose 75), Little (Maylett 90), Weller, Ian Moore (Payton 88), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Cennamo, Papadopoulos.

Booked: Cox, Briscoe.

Goals: Taylor 30, Cook 33.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Curle, Murphy, Page, Doane, Ford (Montgomery 59), Tonge, Brown, Ndlovu, D'Jaffo (Littlejohn 59), Suffo.

Subs Not Used: Nicholson, Jagielka, de Vogt.

Booked: Murphy.

Att: 13,166

Ref: S Baines (Chesterfield).

BLADES STUNG BY HORNETS
SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-2 WATFORD

Watford achieved a deserved second away win of the season as two brilliantly taken goals gave them victory against injury-ravaged Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.After a dismal opening period, Heidar Helguson lit up the contest with a delightful goal after 50 minutes and Tommy Smith made sure of victory when he rifled in his sixth goal of the campaign with 19 minutes remaining.

For Hornets boss Gianluca Vialli, victory was vital after a stumbling start to the season had left his side in 18th place in Division One.Blades manager Neil Warnock made one change to the side that defeated Crewe at the weekend, Laurent D'Jaffo returning from injury to replace Adrian Littlejohn in attack.

Vialli dropped goalkeeper Espen Baardsen with Alec Chamberlain coming in, while Paolo Vernazza made his first start since being stabbed at his home, the the England Under-21 international, taking over from 20-year-old Gary Fisken.Both teams struggled to settle as they attempted to come to terms with the windy conditions but the hosts created the first opportunity when a clever set-piece created space for Peter Ndlovu who struck a left-foot shot wide after seven minutes.

Stephen Glass curled a free-kick inches wide from 25 yards following a clumsy challenge by former Republic of Ireland international Terry Phelan on Hornets midfielder Vernazza but chances remained at a premium.Misplaced passes and poor control dominated proceedings but D'Jaffo headed the ball over the crossbar after 29 minutes following Ndlovu's inswinging corner from the right and Ben Doane's free-kick whistled over the top shortly after.

Watford's French wing-back Patrick Blondeau arrived at the far post to head Tommy Smith's cross wide after 40 minutes but defences remained on top as the stalemate continued.Against his former club, Blades defender Robert Page failed to clear in the early stages of the second half which allowed Smith to cross from the right but Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson was unable to position himself to fire in a shot.

But the Vicarage Road side opened the scoring after 50 minutes when Helguson controlled Paul Robinson's hopeful pass with his chest on the edge of the area, brilliantly spun past two defenders before driving a low left-foot shot into the far corner past stranded home keeper Simon Tracey.Warnock made his first change with Phil Jagielka replacing the ineffective Peschisolido after 57 minutes and midfielder Michael Brown was booked for a foul on the hour as the home side's frustration grew.

As tempers threatened to boil over, United skipper Shaun Murphy was booked for a cynical challenge on Helguson in the centre circle, before Watford doubled their advantage.Sloppy play by Paul Devlin allowed Robinson to intercept and his raking pass to the right found Smith who cut inside and lashed in a superb left-foot shot across the despairing dive of Tracey after 71 minutes.

Devlin was receiving heated criticism from the disillusioned Blades faithful and Warnock hauled him off to shield him from further verbal abuse with Nick Montgomery taking his place.Smith left the field to rapturous applause from the visiting supporters with 10 minutes remaining before United substitute Adrian Littlejohn twice went close with rasping drives from distance as time ran out.

RAILWAYMAN TONGE TWISTERED
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-0 CREWE ALEXANDRA

Michael Tonge's first senior goal for Sheffield United was enough to give them their third successive home win with a Nationwide Division One victory against Dario Gradi's Crewe side.The Blades had gone into the game missing several first-choice strikers through injury but they were value for the win and three important points.

The goal was deserved as United dominated the first half.Paul Peschisolido was at the heart of everything that United were creating.First he had a shot blocked by the impressive David Walton and was then involved with the goal.He laid the ball off for Tonge to drive inside Clayton Ince's near post.

Adrian Littlejohn and Paul Devlin both had good chances to extend the lead.But Kenny Lunt was proving to be a thorn in United's side with impressive through balls to Rob Hulse and Dean Ashton.The second half started with Crewe on the attack and Walton should have scored from a corner.But Walton headed just over when well placed.

Hulse then put Ashton through and he should have scored but shot over from just 12 yards.Efe Sodje then headed wide from a Lunt free-kick but United held on for a deserved victory.

Teams:
United: Tracey, Doane, Murphy, Page, Phelan, Brown, Tonge (Jagielka 79), Devlin, Littlejohn (Nicholson 60), Peschisolido (ward 55), Ndlovu. UnUsed: De Vogt, Montgomery

Booked: Page 14, Doane 54.

Crewe: Ince, Foster, Smith (Wright 78), Sodje, Brammer, Sorvel (Charnock 82), Lunt, Ashton, Hulse, Williams (Little 64). UnUsed: Bankole, Tait

Booked: Aston 58.

STUFFED AGAIN
PRESTON NORTH END 3-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Dynamic strike duo Jon Macken and David Healy kept the Preston bandwagon rolling against a poor Sheffield United. After seven minutes, skipper Sean Gregan supplied a looping cross and the in-form striker beat the offside trap to complete the move with an sharp close-range header.

After 17 minutes, United's Michael Brown tried to hit the mark, only to see his effort booted off the line. That seemed to fire Preston into greater determination and on the half-hour mark transfer-listed Macken exposed more leaks in the Sheffield defence. He had time to power a shot from just outside the 18-yard area. The strike was parried by Tracey, but only for David Healy to steal in and make it 2-0.

United later found the heart to take more of the game to their opponents. They put together some neat moves, yielding a number of corners, but with nothing to show for their efforts. Macken and Healy might have come up trumps again after 74 minutes when they combined, but Tracey was not going to be beaten by a Healy drive.

Winger Paul McKenna tried to get in on the scoring act, but Terry Phelan mopped up at the back, booting away the danger. Substitute Kevin Gallacher crowned the victory, tapping home on 87 minutes after Richard Cresswell struck the post.

Preston North End: Moilanen, Alexander, Edwards, Jackson, Lucketti, Cartwright, Gregan, Rankine, McKenna, Macken, Healy.
Subs: Lucas, Cresswell, Murdock, Gallacher, Anderson.

Sheffield United: Tracey, Doane, Phelan, Murphy, Page, Devlin, Brown, Tonge, Nicholson, D'Jaffo, Ndlovu.
Subs: Ford, Santos, Montgomery, Littlejohn, de Vogt.

Referee: P Walton (Northants).

POMEY LUCKY
PORTSMOUTH 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Justin Edinburgh's first goal of the season was enough to earn Portsmouth a hard-fought win at Fratton Park.The former Tottenham defender prodded home from close range in only his third appearance of the campaign to give the home side the advantage.And Pompey held off strong pressure from the visitors after the interval to claim their fourth home win of the season.

United failed to clear a corner in the 39th minute, allowing Edinburgh to poke home a shot from six yards after Peter Crouch had headed back Robert Prosinecki's corner into the danger area.Blades goalkeeper Simon Tracey saved at full stretch from Lee Bradbury three minutes later, while Tracey produced a brilliant stop to deny substitute Steve Lovell in the 83rd minute and Crouch also hit the crossbar with a volley in the closing stages.

But Blades manager Neil Warnock left the south coast wondering just how his side had failed to gain at least a share of the points from a match they dominated for large parts.United forced 18 corners in total over the 90 minutes and 10 corners alone in the second half, and Portsmouth veteran Dave Beasant was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Beasant was called upon to block a low shot from winger Nick Montgomery in the 22nd minute after he had been put through by impressive Cameroon striker Patrick Suffo.And the former Southampton and Chelsea keeper did even better to keep the score goalless nine minutes later.Michael Brown surged through on the left-hand side of the area before unleashing a left-footed drive which was destined for the top right-hand corner but Beasant flung himself to his left to block for a corner.

United continued with more of the same pressure after the interval as they went in desperate search of an equaliser but found Beasant at his best again as he seemed to form a one-man barrier at times in the Portsmouth goal.The veteran saved with one hand at close range to deny Laurent D'Jaffo in the 66th minute following a free-kick on the right before showing neat footwork to parry Gus Uhlenbeek's deflected cross over the bar for a corner.

Beasant had a moment of good fortune with nine minutes remaining when his attempted punch from a corner deflected against the woodwork.The ball rebounded to safety but Lovell should have put the result beyond all doubt in the 83rd minute when put clear by Crouch but Tracey saved bravely at his feet from just 10 yards out.

Teams

Portsmouth: Beasant, Vincent, Hiley, Primus, Edinburgh, Harper, Prosinecki, Quashie, Barrett, Bradbury (Lovell 83), Crouch.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Crowe, Pitt, O'Neil.

Booked: Edinburgh, Crouch.

Goals: Edinburgh 40.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Curle (Nicholson 45), Murphy, Page, Ndlovu, Brown, Tonge, Montgomery (Santos 88), D'Jaffo, Suffo (Devlin 45).

Subs Not Used: de Vogt, Ford.

Booked: Curle.

Att: 15,538

Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).

POSOTIVE POINT
MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Perennial party-pooper Neil Warnock and his Sheffield United side, abetted by referee Steve Bennett, left Man City and their fans in a rage after a thoroughly ill-tempered stalemate at Maine Road.The Blades, beaten 6-0 here on their last visit two seasons ago, were determined to avoid a repeat and frustrated Kevin Keegan's hitherto free-scoring side from start to finish.Six players were booked by Bennett, City's Kevin Horlock saw red, and both Lucien Mettomo and Danny Tiatto could easily have followed the midfielder down the tunnel for the home side in a game that Bennett struggled to control for long periods.

City had more than enough chances to win the game after coming alive in the second half but were thwarted by some fine saves from Blades keeper Simon Tracey.Yet the visitors also carved out some good openings and Nicky Weaver was was called upon to save City on more than one occasion.The home side struggled to impose themselves on the game in the opening half with the diminutive Shaun Wright-Phillips, given the nod alongside Goater up front, having little impact.

It took City 22 minutes to have their first shot on goal and when they did Horlock blazed high and wide with his left foot from 25 yards.Carl Asaba had to leave the field in the 31st minute for the Blades after being caught with a late challenge from Mettomo, but amazingly Bennett instead chose to book him for diving as he was stretchered away when the defender could easily have been dismissed for a second booking.With tempers threatening to boil over, Horlock became the fifth player to be booked in the opening half after a wild challenge on Rob Kozluk.

City old boy Michael Brown almost put the visitors ahead seconds after the restart with a thunderous 20-yard half-volley but Weaver did superbly to tip his low drive round the post at full stretch.And only two minutes later, Patrick Suffo missed a glorious chance to give his side the lead, blazing over from eight yards with his right foot after a mazy run.City screamed for a penalty soon after when old boy Keith Curle intercepted Wright-Phillips' pass but Bennett waved away the protests.

Stung into action, Goater broke clear down the right flank and teed up Ali Benarbia superbly eight yards out but the midfielder opted for placement instead of power and Tracey clung onto his effort.Roared on by the home fans, an invigorated City poured forward and it took another good stop from Tracey to deny Dickson Etuhu from seven yards after the midfielder had played a great one-two with Goater. Peter Ndlovu then drew a great save from Weaver from an acute angle as play swung from end to end.

Goater was inches away from converting a curling Benarbia cross as City went straight back on the attack.

Tiatto was fortunate to get away with a kick on Kozluk in the 66th minute as the full-back lay on the ground and George Santos replaced the former England Under-21 international.

Almost immediately Etuhu was yellow carded after clattering into Suffo as the game threatened to boil over again.Eyal Berkovic was introduced for Steve Howey in the 75th minute as City looked to break the deadlock.But a minute later they were reduced to 10 men when Horlock was given his second yellow card after Bennett ruled he had dived in the box following a Shaun Murphy challenge.

Stuart Pearce then tried to kick Ndlovu three times in the space of a minute on the right flank as he sought his own retribution.Centre-half Simon Colosimo was thrown on in the 81st minute for Wright-Phillips up front as Keegan went for broke.Goater went desperately close to scoring in the 86th minute when Tracey somehow managed to claw his low eight-yard drive away for a corner. But despite two more loud cries for a penalty from the home side in stoppage time, it was not to be for City.

Teams

Man City: Weaver, Mettomo, Howey (Berkovic 75), Pearce, Dunne, Benarbia, Etuhu, Horlock, Tiatto, Goater, Wright-Phillips (Colosimo 82).

Subs Not Used: Nash, Granville, Huckerby.

Sent Off: Horlock (76).

Booked: Dunne, Mettomo, Horlock, Tiatto, Etuhu.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk (Santos 67), Murphy, Page, Curle, Montgomery, Brown, Tonge, Ndlovu, Suffo (Devlin 79), Asaba (D'Jaffo 32).

Subs Not Used: Nicholson, de Vogt.

Booked: Asaba.

Att: 32,454

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

MARINERS SUFFOCATED
SHEFFIELD UNITED 3-1 GRIMSBY TOWN

Patrick Suffo's superb double strike put United on their way to victory over Worthington Cup heroes Grimsby.After a quiet start, Suffo gave United a 13th minute lead. The Cameroon international striker latched on to Laurent D'Jaffo's flick-on and produced a superb turn to evade his marker before side-stepping keeper Danny Coyne and rolling the ball into the empty net. Suffo then broke free on the left-hand side of the area and squared to Peter Ndlovu who put his first time effort just over.

Shane Nicholson then saw his dangerous cross cut out before Suffo grabbed his and United second on 27 minutes. There appeared to be nothing on when Suffo collected the ball about 30 yards out but he beat Coyne with a rasping low drive. The impressive Suffo then teed-up D'Jaffo whose attempted curler was plucked out of the air by Coyne. Phil Jevons, who scored Grimsby's winner against Liverpool in midweek, had his first chance when he found space in a central position on the edge of the area, his shot was well saved by Simon Tracey.

The visitors produced a strong finish to the half. Johnathan Rowan headed wide and then Alan Pouton's chip into the area found Jevons who was one-on-one with Tracey but he stabbed the ball wide. United made a strong start to the second half with Michael Tonge firing narrowly wide and Suffo having a shot blocked by Coyne. Coyne came to Grimsby's rescue again when he parried Suffo's effort and then recovered to block D'Jaffo's follow-up.

As United piled on the pressure, Nicholson, D'Jaffo and Tonge all went close before Michael Brown made it 3-0. Brown beat Coyne from 25 yards out with a curling effort. Bradley Allen wasted a good chance for the Mariners and Jevons put a long-range effort wide before a bizarre goal gave Grimsby a consolation. A right-wing corner from Menno Willems was helped into his own net at the near post by keeper Tracey.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Curle, Kozluk, Page, Murphy, Nicholson (Santos 88), Ndlovu (Mallon 90), Brown, Tonge, D'Jaffo, Suffo (Devlin 78).

Subs Not Used: Jagielka, de Vogt.

Goals: Suffo 14, 27, Brown 62.

Grimsby: Coyne, Beharall, Gallimore, Broomes, Groves, Pouton, Chapman (Willems 45), Campbell (Allen 52), Butterfield (Coldicott 65), Rowan, Jevons.

Subs Not Used: Boulding, Croudson.

Booked: Jevons.

Goals: Willems 87.

Att: 15,442

Ref: A Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield).

SUNDAY PIG ROAST NOT TO BE
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Goalkeeper Kevin Pressman showed his team-mates what it means to wear the Sheffield Wednesday shirt by producing a towering performance to ensure honours ended even with bitter city rivals United.Pressman had rounded on his fellow Owls following last Saturday's humiliating 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, claiming many had no pride when it came to wearing the blue and white.

The veteran then defiantly kept United at bay in the 101st league derby at Hillsborough, in particular during the first half, with a display full of determination and passion, enough to lift the club out of the bottom three.The performance was all the more remarkable given Wednesday had conceded 13 goals in their previous three games, including six to Manchester City on their last outing at home.

Pressman, who turns 34 next month and who has spent his entire career at Wednesday since being taken on as an apprentice in 1985, was forced to make three quality saves in the opening 10 minutes as Peter Shreeves' side weathered an early storm.A fifth minute left-wing cross from Shane Nicholson led to Derek Geary's mistake setting up Peter Ndlovu for a fiercely-struck drive which stung Pressman's fingers.

With the Owls jittery in defence, it was a Danny Maddix error which gave United their next chance as the centre-back could only direct fine approach play between teenager Michael Tonge and Ndlovu into the path of Nicholson.But despite the left wing-back's precision drive, Pressman was equal to the chance and again seconds later when Maddix steered a Patrick Suffo cross towards his own goal after the danger had failed to be cleared.

Tommy Johnson, on a three-month contract following his move from Celtic, then had two chances in a matter of minutes as the Owls briefly found their composure.But striker Johnson, who started his career with three seasons at Notts County under current Blades boss Neil Warnock, first forced the best out of Simon Tracey before then powering a header over the bar from a Matthew Hamshaw corner.

Pressman was again the difference between the sides in the 27th minute, turning aside a curling drive from a perfectly-placed Carl Asaba drive then blocking at point-blank range the follow up from Ndlovu.Despite those chances for Neil Warnock's team, it was Wednesday who came closest to breaking the deadlock of a typically passionate, no-quarter-given affair.

Eight minutes from the break Tracey was guilty of a howler as he was a considerable distance away from cutting out Hamshaw's cross, allowing Alan Quinn to turn the ball back into the danger area.Johnson's shot struck Shaun Murphy and then the post, with a grateful Tracey having recovered his ground to pounce on the loose ball and so spare his blushes.

Pressman was eventually beaten on the stroke of half time by Asaba, only for the linesman's flag to prove crucial, with television replays showed the striker was level.With the last touch of an entertaining half, Owls' Italian striker Michele di Piedi fired a spectacular overhead kick into the side-netting.

It was a pity referee Dermot Gallagher's whistle intervened, for the second period lacked the drama and the opportunities of the first, although it was left to Pressman to have the final word.Six minutes from time Paul Peschisolido, a 71st minute sub for Suffo, drilled in an angled drive with the goal at his mercy, but again Pressman athletically blocked to deservedly keep a clean sheet for only the second time this season.

Teams:

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Westwood, Maddix, Palmer, Quinn, Hamshaw (Donnelly 62), Geary, Soltvedt, Bromby, Di Piedi (Bonvin 68), Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Stringer, McLaren, Haslam.

Booked: Palmer.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Page, Murphy, Curle, Nicholson (Santos 80), Kozluk, Tonge, Brown, Ndlovu (Devlin 76), Asaba, Suffo (Peschisolido 71).

Subs Not Used: Ford, D'Jaffo.

Booked: Curle, Brown.

Att: 29,281

Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).

CANARIES STUFFED
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 NORWICH CITY

Sheffield United secured their first home win of the season despite being reduced to 10 men against high-flying Norwich at Bramall Lane.In a blistering five-minute spell at the end of the first half United scored twice through Carl Asaba and Patrick Suffo to give themselves a commanding lead.

But Norwich were given a lifeline on 76 minutes when Asaba was sent off for two bookable offences and Steen Nedergaard halved the deficit with just seven minutes left.The home side went close in the opening minutes when Michael Brown blazed over from 18 yards.

Soon after United goalkeeper Wilko de Vogt, making his Blades debut, was forced to tip the ball over the crossbar from Alex Notman's looping header.United edged ahead on 40 minutes when Peter Ndlovu burst into the Norwich penalty area with a surging run before sending a low cross for Asaba to smash home from six yards.

Norwich nearly drew level immediately when Nedergaard's corner was headed towards his own goal by Shaun Murphy but he was rescued by Rob Kozluk who cleared off the line.It was an important save by the full-back as the home side doubled their lead with a well-taken goal, Suffo turning well before smashing a volley into the bottom right-hand corner.

After the break the Cameroon international nearly got his second of the game on 55 minutes but his free-kick from just outside the Norwich area smashed against the crossbar.Midway through the second half United thought they had got a third but Asaba's header was ruled out for a foul on Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green.

Asaba's afternoon came to an abrupt end when he was shown his second yellow card after leading with his elbow into a high challenge with Norwich defender Craig Fleming.The home side then had a second goal disallowed with nine minutes of the game remaining.

Substitute Paul Peschisolido dispossessed Malky Mackay to leave himself with a clear run at goal, but the former Birmingham striker passed to Ndlovu who converted from eight yards - but from an offside position.Norwich eventually grabbed one back when Nedergaard fired a fierce free-kick from the corner of the penalty area into the back of de Vogt's net.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: de Vogt, Kozluk, Curle, Murphy, Page, Nicholson (Ford 88), Brown, Tonge (Santos 66), Ndlovu, Asaba, Suffo (Peschisolido 72).

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Tracey.

Sent Off: Asaba (77).

Booked: Asaba, Curle.

Goals: Asaba 40, Suffo 45.

Norwich: Green, Sutch, Fleming, Mackay, Kenton, Easton (Rivers 61), Holt, Mulryne, Nedergaard, Notman (Libbra 72), Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Russell, McGovern, Crichton.

Booked: Mackay, Kenton, Holt, Sutch, Libbra.

Goals: Nedergaard 83.

Att: 15,523

Ref: M Jones (Chester).

BLADES ROBBED
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-3 CRYSTAL PALACE

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Page, Murphy, Sandford, Nicholson, Devlin, Ford, Brown, Jagielka, Asaba, Suffo. Subs: Kozluk, Ndlovu, Montgomery, Peschisolido, de Vogt.

Crystal Palace: Clarke, Smith, Vickers, Popovic, Gray, Mullins, Riihilahti, Kirovski, Rodger, Freedman, Morrison. Subs: Austin, Black, Thomson, Hopkin, Kolinko.

Referee: M Cooper (Walsall).

A controversial penalty 13 minutes from time put Crystal Palace on their way to a third successive league win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Palace striker Dougie Freedman fired home from the spot following an innocuous challenge from Blades keeper Simon Tracey, and the forward converted the spot-kick to claim three points.

Neil Warnock's side had looked to have been rewarded for sustained periods of pressure when defender Shane Nicholson's deflected free-kick cancelled out Jamie Smith's 11th minute opener for the visitors. But substitute David Hopkin sealed the result for the visitors with a quality 18-yard strike in the final minute.

The Blades threatened in the opening period but Steve Bruce's side began to settle and took the lead 10 minutes later. Freedman was put clean through and he broke into the box before cutting the ball back for Clinton Morrison, whose low shot was well blocked with his legs by Tracey.

However, the ball was picked up by unmarked defender Smith on the edge of the box, and he fired a right-foot shot through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner. The home side continued to push forward and Matt Clarke again denied them with a brilliant low save to beat out Nicholson's curling free-kick.

Two minutes after the restart Palace should have extended their lead when Freedman wasted two great chances inside two minutes. First, Morrison's clever dummy allowed the Scot to run clear but with only Tracey to beat he flashed the ball high and wide.

And moments later the striker saw his near-perfect lob clip the top of the bar and land on the roof of the net. But on 75 minutes, the home side finally grabbed an equaliser when Nicholson's powerful free-kick from the edge of the box took a huge deflection and spun past Clarke and into the net.

However, just as the Blades had pulled themselves back into the game, Palace were awarded a penalty kick when Tracey was adjudged to have clipped Freedman's legs. The striker stepped up to slot the ball into the net and seal the victory.

With the final whistle approaching, substitute Hopkin rubbed salt in United's wounds with a crisp strike from the edge of the box which flew past Tracey's outstretched hand.

ANOTHER DEFEAT
Millwall 2 Sheffield United 0

scorers: Nethercroft 15, Kilnet 82.

Teams:
Millwall: Warner, Laurence, Livermore, Ryan, Tuttle, Nethercroft, Cahill, Kilnet, Claridge, Sadlier, Ried.
Not Used: Gueret, Bull, Philips, Ifill, Harris.
Bookings: Livermore 83.

Blades: Tracey, Murphy, Nicholson, Page, Sandford, Santos, Ford (Montgomery 75), Asaba, D'Jaffo (Suffo 27), Ndlovu (Peschisolido 84).
Not Used: De Vogt, Curle
Bookings: Santos 45, Murphy 72.

Millwall celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time since returning to Division One but their performance fell short of the style that manager Mark McGhee is seeking. An early goal from skipper Stuart Nethercott should have settled them for a display to keep the fans happy but United were allowed to claw their way back and threaten an equaliser.

In fact, it needed a spectacular one-handed save low to his right by goalkeeper Tony Warner 10 minutes from time to protect Millwall's advantage. It proved the turning point of the match as a minute later Steven Reid supplied the pass for Christophe Kinet to volley a spectacular second and clinch the points.

This victory, in the wake of the 3-1 success against Barnsley in midweek, will provide a points cushion to help achieve the Millwall manager's aim. McGhee resisted the temptation to give star striker Neil Harris a spell off the subs bench after his cameo appearance in midweek.

Harris admits that he needs more time and perhaps further reserve appearances before he is ready for a full return after his serious illness. Nethercott put Millwall in front after 16 minutes, stabbing home the loose ball after Tim Cahill's header from a corner had been half saved by Simon Tracey.

United put themselves under pressure by conceding a series of free-kicks and corners. They were fortunate not to be punished further as Richard Sadlier had a powerful header come back off the crossbar. United boss Neil Warnock paced the touchline in frustration and Tracey got into a slanging match with team-mate Carl Asaba. The half-time whistle could not come quickly enough for Sheffield.

They looked better at the start of the second half when Millwall's hesitancy start was almost punished by Asaba, whose shot was beaten out by Warner. Millwall were limited to breakaways, though they could have scored again when a header from Sadlier took a deflection and went for a corner.

They continued to look edgy as United dominated midfield but then inspiration came from an unlikely source with Warner's spectacular save. Kinet added the second and the London side played out time on a rising tide of confidence.

1ST WIN
Stockport 1-2 Sheff Utd

First-half goals from Shane Nicholson and Peter Ndlovu earned Sheffield United their first win of the season. The Blades fully deserved to all three points after an entertaining tussle at Stockport. But they were given a late scare by their tenacious hosts. Central defender Leo Roget converted a 79th-minute penalty after United defender Bobby Ford bundled over substitute Neil Hardy. And Jarkko Wiss saw a thunderous volley flash just wide of the post in injury time. However, Neil Warnock's men had played well in the first 45 minutes and might easily have led by more than two goals.

Nicholson, who moved from County to Bramall Lane in the summer, added to his former club's woes by putting United ahead from the spot after Carl Asaba had been fouled. Asaba had been the first to show signs of life, cracking a drilled shot that flew past the right-hand post after nine minutes. Stockport's first chance followed in the 13th minute, Shefki Kuqi heading wide from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors continued to have the better of possession but were unable to translate it into dominance.

Ndlovu did his best to force the issue but could only manage a weak shot from 25 yards that failed to find the target. Inevitably, the mounting number of fouls led to a yellow card, Asaba carded for a bad foul on Robert Clare. And another foul - this time by County captain Mike Flynn, for which he was also booked - resulted in the penalty award in the 30th minute. Nicholson duly dispatched the kick and when Stockport were caught napping just three minutes later Ndlovu doubled the visitors' lead, firing home from 18 yards. Aaron Wilbraham tried to pull County straight back into the match but shot over the crossbar from the left side of the penalty area. As United finished strongly, Shaun Murphy should have done better from Bobby Ford's inswinging corner in the 43rd minute but his weak header was cleared by Richard Sneekes.

1ST DEFEAT
Sheffield United 0 Coventry City 1

Coventry deservedly took the points from an entertaining game at Bramall Lane to leave United without a victory in six games. City thought they had taken the lead after three minutes but Gary Breen's effort was ruled out for offside after Simon Tracey had parried an Ivan Guerrero effort. Both sides were passing the ball well and Shaun Murphy headed a Paul Devlin cross wide of the upright.

Minutes later Devlin found Peter Ndlovu in space but he sent his left-foot effort wide.After 25 minutes the Blades should have taken the lead when Marcus Hedman misjudged a corner but Michael Brown missed the target from six yards out.Lee Hughes and David Thompson were both causing problems for United whenever they had the ball. It was Hughes who crossed for Julian Joachim but his glancing headed drifted wide.

Minutes later Joachim, in space in the area, screwed another shot wide. Coventry were looking increasingly dangerous and Lee Carsley forced Tracey to block a powerful drive with his legs.In first-half stoppage time Carl Asaba headed wide from a Devlin free-kick.After the interval United came out looking hungrier without creating a clear-cut chance.

It was Joachim on 55 minutes who could have put the visitors ahead but again Tracey denied the ex-Villa man.City had a penalty appeal turned down when Tracey looked to have brought down Joachim but Coventry were rewarded for their efforts two minutes later when Laurent Delorge, who had just replaced the injured Joachim, slotted home a loose ball from just inside the area.United should have equalised with 10 minutes to go when Devlin's corner was headed over the crossbar by Murphy, who was unchallenged.

Again the Blades could have salvaged a point when the ball fell to Brown in the area but Hedman, blocking with his knees, denied the midfielder.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Page, Murphy, Curle, Nicholson, Devlin, Ford, Brown (Suffo 84), Ndlovu (Santos 74), Asaba, D'Jaffo (Peschisolido 73).

Subs Not Used: Sandford, Uhlenbeek.

Booked: Brown.

Coventry: Hedman, Nilsson (Shaw 30), Konjic, Breen, Hall, Guerrero (Bothroyd 60), Safi, Carsley, Thompson, Hughes, Joachim (Delorge 71).

Subs Not Used: Quinn, Goram.

Booked: Breen.

Goals: Delorge 72.

Att: 16,168

Ref: M Pike (Barrow-in-Furness).

BLADES DRAW IS GRIMSBY'S GAIN
GRIMSBY TOWN 3-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Grimsby Town kept their nerve to seal a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Sheffield United and secure a place in the third round of the Worthington Cup after a pulsating 3-3 draw at Blundell Park.

Bobby Ford and Laurent d'Jaffo both missed penalties for the visitors but despite Simon Tracey pulling off a fabulous save from Mariners defender Alan Pouton, striker Michael Jeffrey tapped home his spot-kick to seal a 4-2 win.

Earlier Patrick Suffo looked to have wrapped up the win for the Blades after coming off the bench to put his side 3-2 ahead but with only three minutes of extra time remaining Bradley Allen's deflected shot flew past Tracey to rescue the Mariners and take the game to penalties.

United had threatened early on and strikers Carl Asaba and Paul Peschisolido wasted excellent chances to open the scoring but Grimsby fought back and were unlucky not to take the lead on the half hour mark.

Pouton played the ball through to Phil Jevons and his shot took a wicked deflection but with keeper Tracey stranded the former Everton striker could only watch as his shot slid the wrong side of the post.

But from the resulting corner, Lennie Lawrence's side took an unlikely lead. Stuart Campbell's dangerous ball into the box was not cleared by the United defence and Pouton's powerful left-foot volley was clipped into the net by defender Marlon Broomes.

Michael Brown then wasted a great opportunity to equalise five minutes before half time when he fired a wild shot over the bar from only four yards out, but moments after the restart United claimed a deserved equaliser.

Paul Devlin's free-kick clipped off the bottom of the wall and spun past keeper Danny Coyne into the back of the net.

United pressurised and took the lead after 65 minutes after breaking away on the counter attack. Asaba broke down the left and his low cross was met by the sliding Ndlovu who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

However, the visitors lead lasted for only six minutes as Michael Jeffrey pulled his side back into the game. Bradley Allen's cross from the left drifted beyond Tracey and Jeffrey raced in to tap home the equaliser.

Seven minutes from the end of normal time United were reduced to 10-men when Gus Uhlenbeek was red-carded.

Mariners defender Stuart Campbell reacted angrily to Uhlenbeek's challenge and when the pair clashed off the ball the referee ordered the Blades centre-back off the field.

Neil Warnock's side almost snatched victory in the dying seconds when Paul Devlin's free-kick came back off the post and Grimsby were also unfortunate to see Jeffrey's lob clip the top of the crossbar.

2000TH HOME LEAGUE GAME ENDS IN A DRAW
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-2 BRADFORD CITY

Draw specialists Sheffield United again had to settle for a point in an entertaining Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane.

Bradford got off to a flying start when Eoin Jess gave them a second-minute lead. The United defence failed to clear Gareth Whalley's free-kick and Jess beat Simon Tracey with a low shot.

Jess came close to extending Bradford's lead but he volleyed wide at the far post after connecting with Gary Locke's cross.

With the home defence still looking shaky, Jess threatened again when he received Whalley's pass but failed to make proper contact and Tracey saved easily.

There was a brief lull in play when the referee was forced to change his shirt from black to green to avoid clashing with Bradford's dark away strip.

Keith Curle equalised on 16 minutes when he ran on to Bobby Ford's chipped ball into the area, firing expertly past Gary Walsh.

Jess put a long-range effort wide and Whalley had a low shot saved before United took the lead in the 36th minute.

Gus Uhlenbeek's long ball found Carl Asaba, who outpaced a couple of defenders before producing a clinical finish.

But Bradford levelled just three minutes later when Whalley found Andrew Tod in space on the right hand side to the area and he beat Tracey with a low drive.

As the half drew to a close, Blades winger Paul Devlin shot wide from the edge of the area and Laurent D'Jaffo headed over from Devlin's free-kick.

United made a good start to the second half with Asaba hitting the post with a header from Devlin's cross. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to D'Jaffo but he scuffed his shot and Walsh gathered easily.

Asaba, who was off-balance, fired wide and Ford put a shot on the run just over.

Bradford rallied towards the end, David Wetherall's knock-down found Locke, who blasted over and Tod's header from Stuart McCall's free-kick was saved.

The Blades, who had drawn their previous four league games, threw men forward in a bid to snatch a last-gasp winner.

But there was to be no dramatic winner, Asaba dragging his shot wide and Walsh was forced to make a late save from Paul Peschisolido's angled effort.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Murphy, Curle, Phelan, Devlin, Ford, Brown, Ndlovu (Peschisolido 89), Asaba, D'Jaffo (Santos 90).

Subs Not Used: Jagielka, Nicholson, de Vogt.

Booked: Asaba, Phelan.

Goals: Curle 16, Asaba 36.

Bradford: Walsh, Myers, Halle, Molenaar (Wetherall 45), Jacobs, Whalley, McCall, Locke, Tod, Jess, Blake (Lawrence 62).

Subs Not Used: Makel, Bower, Davison.

Booked: Locke, Wetherall, Myers.

Goals: Jess 2, Tod 39.

Att: 17,394

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).

WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF
Sheffield United 2 Wolves 2

After dominating for most of the match, Wolves had to rely on a goal from Joleon Lescott four minutes from time for a share of the spoils against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this afternoon.

Wolves had taken the lead through Cedric Roussel after 29 minutes, but the Blades hit back with a penalty from Laurent D'Jaffo and Carl Asaba's late strike looked to have won it before Lescott's intervention.

It was the visitors who had the first chance to score when a defensive mix-up between Rob Kozluk and Shaun Murphy let in Adam Proudlock who was one-on-one with Simon Tracey.

But the Blades keeper made a vital block, turning the ball behind following the striker's low shot.

United boss Neil Warnock was forced to make a change in midfield midway through the first half when Bobby Ford limped off and was replaced by Georges Santos.

Tony Dinning put a long-range effort over before Roussel put Wolves in front.

Proudlock held off Murphy in the left-hand side of the area before squaring the ball to the Belgian striker, who tapped home from close range.

Murphy was struggling to control Proudlock, who tested Tracey with a shot from the edge of the area.

D'Jaffo tried his luck when off balance, but failed to connect properly and Wolves keeper Michael Oakes gathered easily.

Another Murphy error then let in Roussel on the left wing, but his low cross was cleared by Terry Phelan.

United levelled four minutes after the break when D'Jaffo scored from the penalty spot.

Paul Devlin floated a free-kick into the area, Santos went down under Lescott's challenge and referee Eddie Wolstenholme pointed to the spot.

Sustained Wolves pressure then saw United forced onto the back foot.

Roussel came close to scoring his second of the match when he nipped in between Keith Curle and Tracey before rolling the ball towards the empty net from a tight angle, but Murphy got back in time to hack the ball clear.

The lively Proudlock then shook off Kozluk's attention in the area, but Murphy got in a brave block to divert the strikers shot off target.

Dinning put a couple of long-range efforts just wide before the home side took a shock lead when substitute Asaba scored with a spectacular scissors-kick against the run of play on 83 minutes.

Straight afterwards Peter Ndlovu hit the post with a shot before Lescott struck a deserved equaliser for the visitors.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk, Murphy, Curle, Phelan, Devlin, Brown, Ford (Santos 27), Ndlovu, D'Jaffo, Peschisolido (Asaba 77).

Subs Not Used: Page, Nicholson, de Vogt.

Booked: D'Jaffo, Peschisolido, Santos.

Goals: D'Jaffo 49 pen, Asaba 83.

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Lescott, Butler, Naylor, Newton, Dinning, Cameron, Sinton, Proudlock (Ndah 77), Roussel.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Beresford, Pollet, Andrews.

Booked: Proudlock, Newton, Sinton.

Goals: Roussel 29, Lescott 85.

Att: 16,497

Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).

Laurent D'Jaffo's second half penalty gave The Blades a share of the spoils as they earned a 1-1 draw at Rotherham in this South Yorkshire derby. The goal came on the back of some good play from United as they bounced back following a very disappointing first period at Millmoor. Former Blade Rob Scott's goal had given the hosts the lead during a first half spell of some sustained pressure from the hosts, who dominated proceedings early on.

But, despite carving out several good chances Ronnie Moore's men could not add to their tally. And they were made to pay when United came out a lot livelier in the second half and got back onto level terms thanks to the skills of substitute Peter Ndlovu, who was instrumental in winning the penalty from which D'Jaffo equalised. The Blades went on from strength to strength and could quite easily have left with all three points, but Rotherham held out to secure their first point of the season.

The game began at lightning pace and it was not too long before The Millers were looking for a penalty when Marvin Bryan's header hit the arm of D'Jaffo but the referee waved away all home claims. The Millers continued to keep probing and eventually got their reward in the 23rd minute. A Kevin Watson corner into The Blades area found man of the match Chris Swailes on the penalty spot, and he smashed an unstoppable drive onto the cross bar. But former Blades man Scott was on hand to lob the rebound over the head of keeper Simon Tracey - on his 300th league appearance - and into the back of the net.

The hosts continued to push for a second as Neil Warnock's men concentrated on stemming the attacks and managed to keep the deficit to just one going into the half-time interval. Warnock's half-time team talk combined with his crucial decision to put Ndlovu on in place of the ineffective George Santos paid dividends. The former Coventry City man should have fired his side back on level terms on 58 minutes when Carl Asaba's pass found him unmarked in the area, but he could only fire his effort across the face of goal. Nevertheless, Ndlovu only had to wait until the 65th minute to help The Blades restore parity. He turned Bryan inside out just inside The Millers penalty area and when his cross hit the arm of home debutant Martin McIntosh, referee Graham Laws pointed to the spot and D'Jaffo made no mistake sending Mike Pollitt the wrong way.

McIntosh almost made amends 10 minutes later when his 30-yard drive bounced up off Tracey's chest but unfortunately for him no Millers players were on hand to capitalise. It was left for the visitors to finish the game the strongest with substitutes Rob Kozluk and Paul Peschisolido almost grabbing winning goals. Kozluk hit a vicious, dipping strike which just cleared Pollitt's bar, while Peschisolido saw his injury time header agonisingly hit the foot of the post before being cleared by the desperate home defence. The point puts The Millers in 20th position with their first point, while United are in 13th place on three points after drawing their opening three games this term.

Laurent D'Jaffo's last-minute goal gave United a 1-0 win at Darlington and put them through to the second round of this season's Worthington Cup. D’Jaffo volleyed home from 10 yards out after Michael Brown had broke down the left and placed a cross into the centre. It was a cruel blow for the home side, who had battled well throughout and had come close to breaking the deadlock, thanks mainly to the hard work of Richard Hodgson.

The Blades started well, with Darlington keeper Andrew Collett producing some fine saves – the highlight coming when he tipped over a header from Shaun Murphy. United continued to dominate the first half and Paul Peschisolido almost opened the scoring close to the interval, but was again denied by the acrobatics of Collett. The home side found their rhythm in the second 45 minutes and came close to causing a shock result, but D’Jaffo’s last gasp winner ensured The Blades will be in the draw for the next round.

BLADES UNLUCKY
Sheff United 0-0 Gillingham

Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances in a tense goalless draw at Bramall Lane. United settled the better of the two teams but lacked a cutting edge when going forward despite some neat build-up play. With three minutes on the clock, Carl Asaba picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area but his shot flew over Vince Bartram's crossbar. Minutes later Peter Ndlovu ran from his own half as space opened up in front of him but his 25 yard shot lacked any conviction.

Gillingham forced the game's first corner on 18 minutes after Browning's cross was cleared by Sean Murphy. Minutes later the persistent Guy Ipoua broke clear in the area but Simon Tracey was equal to the danger. United were beginning to look more dangerous with Paul Devlin causing problems on the right wing. He crossed for Ndlovu but his header was deflected over, George Santos heading the resulting corner back across goal and over the bar.

Gillingham's best chance of the half fell to Ipoua after a long clearance found him in space but his shot from a tight angle went across the face of goal. The first five minutes of the second period were scrappy with both teams failing to keep hold of the ball. Santos used good footwork outside the area before playing a deft pass to Pescisolido in the box but Bartram charged from his line to make a good block. Gillingham came forward when Browning slipped the ball to Mark Patterson in the area but Ndlovu was back to make a decisive block.

On 75 minutes, Paul Devlin switched to the left wing and his cross was headed wide by Murphy. United captain Keith Curle was booked for holding back Onoura preventing the big forward running into space on the right wing. With three minutes remaining Asaba had the best chance of the game but the ex-Gillingham striker screwed his left-foot shot wide from 10 yards out.

Paul Devlin was the hero for United as his last-gasp goal secured a 1-1 draw at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest. Marlon Harewood opened the scoring for Forest after being first to his own rebound. The young home side dominated the first-half but United came back into the game and flying winger Devlin secured the goal that squared up the game in the 87th minute. Both teams wanted to impose their physical presence upon each other early on and succeeded after there was a succession of early fouls, although the crowd got their value for money in a very entertaining encounter.

Forest went close on 15 minutes when Chris Bart-Williams’ free kick beat the United wall but Simon Tracey saved it at the second attempt. Forest’s early pressure paid off though when Keith Foy’s pinpoint cross met Harewood’s powerful header, Tracey saved it but the pacy striker nodded the rebound home to give Paul Hart’s men their first goal of the season. Tracey was the busier of two goalkeepers in the first half hour as Forest were definitely the better of the teams on show and were positively outplaying United throughout the half.

Debutant Darren Ward, once a target of Neil Warnock, was troubled towards the end of the first-half and put the ball behind after a scrimmage in the Forest area. After a lengthy spell of seven minutes stoppage time because of some early injuries, Forest went into the break a goal to the good. In the second-half, the 25513 crowd anticipated Forest to double their lead. Jack Lester sliced The Blade’s defence open like a hot knife through butter and David Prutton missed a golden opportunity when he fired wide when one-on-one with Tracey.

Carl Asaba broke away from the Forest defence and it only took a great tackle from Jon-Olav Hjelde denied the former Gillingham striker the equalizer as United started to come back into the game. Devlin run down the right-hand side and his wicked cross nearly resulted in an own goal when Gareth Williams’ misjudged header nearly eluded Ward, but United were playing much better than what they were in the first-half. The Blades were now on top and Devlin and Peter Ndlovu were being a nuisance to the red masses, and the Zimbabwean's cross-cum-shot was only inches away of nestling into Ward’s top corner and Hart on the Forest bench was looking a worried man.

Paul Peschisolido was through for The Blades at the clock ticked down but Matthieu Louis-Jean fowled the Canadian in his tracks, and was lucky to stay on the pitch after escaping with a booking. Forest had the ball in the net soon after though, but Harewood was adjudged to have been offside as he fired past Tracey. Harewood was then involved in a war of words with Shaun Murphy where it looked as if the United defender raised his hands to the goalscorer: both were shown the yellow card for their grievances.

Players on both sides were showing their frustration as the game petered out but Forest could not hold on for the win. A left-wing cross from Peschisolido found former Notts County star Devlin who evaded Foy and volleyed home to get United a much-deserved point for their perseverance two-and-a-half minutes before stoppage time.

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