Billy Sharp's strike three minutes from time was enough to secure the Blades victory over Crewe, though United had led the match by two goals following Che Adams and Ryan Flynn's successive strikes. The week previous United had lost by a solitary goal from Millwall's Chris Taylor just two minutes into the match, despite the Blades putting up a second half battle a defeat proved to be the overall outcome.
United headed to Roots Hall in midweek, the game initially meant to be taking place to days earlier to complete the traditional Easter Weekend of fixtures but Sky TV put paid to that. The Blades players and supporters knew that to stand any realistic chance of making the Play-Offs they needed to win at least one point from that fixture. Dean Hammond scored his second goal in a White and Red shirt, cancelling out Tyrone Barnett's earlier strike to draw the game level. But the hosts netted twice in the second half, a scorcher from Worrall (which won the clubs' Goal of the Season award) and Payne as the clock was ticking down.
The defeat more or less ended United's season there and then with still a month's fixtures of football to be fulfilled. The result left United 13th in the table.
Picture: Sheffield United's Billy Sharp (left) scores his side's third goal of the game.
Millwall 1-0 Sheffield United
Saturday, 19th March 2016 - League One
Sheffield United still remain six points behind the play-offs despite losing 1-0 at Millwall last weekend. Back to back wins over Crewe Alexandra and at Southend United next Wednesday (live on Sky) could prove to be a massive winner with supporters, whom aren't entirely convinced that this side will make the top 6.
Chris Taylor's early strike kept Millwall's promotion charge on course with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at the Den. The home side made a flying start. Steve Morison's low cross from the left flank evaded Jimmy Abdou but Taylor, who joined on loan from Blackburn this week for his second spell with the club, was there to finish powerfully from close range with barely 90 seconds on the clock.
The Lions were rarely troubled during the first half and, in truth, they should have gone further ahead. Both Lee Gregory and Morison got in behind Sheffield United's disjointed back three and spurned good chances with only George Long to beat.
Billy Sharp was the source of United's first opening with 65 minutes gone, finding himself unmarked in the Millwall box. His header, however, was straight at Jordan Archer in the Lions' goal. In a rare moment of second-half action, a devilish cross from Blades substitute Paul Coutts forced Archer to save low at his near post but the Lions held on.
Sheffield United 3-2 Crewe Alexandra
Friday, 24th March 2016 - League One
The Blades remain in and around the middle of the League One table, along with Southend, with 55 points. At the time of writing, the Blades lay 11th in the table but this is prior to Easter Monday's fixture list where the table could look a little different. Having won at home to Crewe (see below) on Good Friday, the win has given the United side some encouragement in reaching the top six come May. However, they haven't won away from home since Che Adams' strike was enough to dispose Doncaster Rovers on 13th February.
Since then they have won at home to Port Vale (1-0), Oldham Athletic (3-0) and Crewe, as well as claiming a point at Fleetwood Town (2-2) in dramatic fashion. A win is needed tonight if they are to do, what seems to the supporters as impossible.
Sheffield United survived a Crewe fightback to win 3-2 after the visitors came back from 2-0 down to draw level at Bramall Lane. Che Adams, Ryan Flynn and Billy Sharp scored for the home side with David Fox and Harry Davis on target for Crewe. The hosts went close to scoring inside two minutes when Ben Garratt made a fine save from John Brayford's header. Sharp then hit a post with a curling effort.
United took the lead in the 18th minute when Flynn slipped the ball through to Adams inside the area and he beat Garratt with ease. Crewe started brightly in the second half with Jay McEveley forced to make a last-ditch tackle to thwart Brad Inman and George Long saving Charlie Kirk's shot. Flynn gave the home side a two-goal advantage with a hooked effort in the 61st minute. Seven minutes later Fox pulled a goal back with a long-range drive and Davis equalised on 83 minutes, sweeping the ball home from Callum Ainley's low cross. Sharp struck the winner with three minutes remaining, meeting Louis Reed's pinpoint cross with a close-range header.
Southend United 3-1 Sheffield United
Wednesday, 30th March 2016 - League One
Southend reignited their quest for a Sky Bet League One play-off place by effectively ending Sheffield United's bid with a 3-1 victory at Roots Hall. Tyrone Barnett's close-range finish put the Shrimpers on the right track, at least until Dean Hammond equalised for the Blades with a bouncing header. Phil Brown's men took control after the break, though, with David Worrall scoring a fantastic solo goal before Jack Payne wrapped up all three points for the hosts with his finish on the stroke of full-time.
Sheffield United players training before the game at Southend.