Billy Sharp struck against his hometown club as Doncaster's passing game proved too good for Sheffield United's grit in a 2-0 South Yorkshire derby victory. Blades fan Sharp, signed from United in a £1.1million summer deal after spending last season on loan at Rovers, slammed home a rebound shortly before half-time, nine minutes after James Coppinger had fired the home side into a deserved lead. Sharp's goal celebrations were muted, but jibes from Blades fans still hurt, so the 24-year-old will have taken immense pleasure in revealing the words 'fat lad from Sheffield' on his undershirt. Sharp, who failed to live up to his billing during two spells at Bramall Lane, cut a forlorn figure when he limped out of the action just minutes later, but the damage had been done and the visitors never recovered after being given a first-half runaround. Rovers took the lead in the 33rd minute when Coppinger ran on into the box after laying off a cushioned header to Sharp and, when the return pass fell invitingly into his path, the Rovers winger buried an angled shot beyond Steve Simonsen into the bottom corner. Rovers doubled their lead nine minutes later with another quality goal. John Oster set full-back Joseph Mills free down the left and his pinpoint cutback was met first time by James Hayter. The striker's shot was parried by Simonsen, but only as far as Sharp and the former Blade lashed home the rebound. The best United had to offer in the closing stages was Mark Yeates' right-footed curler, which was comfortably gathered by Neil Sullivan.
Source: PA
Source: PA