Sheffield United surprised the pundits when they scored three second half goals to beat league leaders Bristol City by three goals to one. It was the Blades second successive victory in a row and in turn have scored 7 goals whilst conceding just 2. This time last season the Blades lost their opening fixture in February (at Crewe) before going 8 league games unbeaten which saw them rocket up the league - supporters know that if they have any chance of making the automatic spots there then a similar run will be required again.
Matt Done scored two second-half goals as Sheffield United came from behind to shock leaders Bristol City with a 3-1 victory at Ashton Gate. Matt Smith netted the 13th goal of his loan spell from Fulham to put the hosts in front in the 41st minute. The big striker got in between United's two centre-backs to volley Luke Freeman’s cross from the left past goalkeeper Iain Turner from close range. The Blades equalised in the 54th minute when Done forced the ball over the line in a scramble after substitute Jason Holt's shot had been parried by City goalkeeper Frank Fielding
And it was Done again on target from barely a yard out as Jamie Murphy supplied a low ball in from the left in the 77th minute. Murphy completed the fight back with a solo breakaway goal five minutes later, cutting inside Derrick Williams to fire home after Luke Ayling had lost possession in midfield. Smith's goal was the only worthwhile effort by either side in a first half dominated by the defences. United lost Jose Baxter to injury after only 24 minutes and boss Nigel Clough sent on Holt as replacement.
Having netted three goals in his first two games for the club Matty Done (who now has 17 goals this season) will be looking to add more to his tally and will undoubtedly start tonight's fixture in attack - leaving Marc McNulty on the substitutes bench. Meanwhile Jose Baxter (dead leg) is sidelined and keeper Iain Turner is expected to keep his place ahead of the injured Mark Howard.
Blades boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We're capable of beating the top sides, but we are striving for a level of consistency. That comes with time and patience. We've still got more of a third of the season to go, but we're done with playing the top four as it currently stands. Our aim since the start of the season has been to get promoted. We are not going to rule out finishing in the top two yet. They gave us a hard game when they came here. They'll be dogged and determined and difficult to beat."
Due to Preston North End's involvement in the FA Cup over the weekend just gone Nott’s County were without a fixture having been scheduled to face the Lilywhites last Saturday. It leaves their 1-0 win at Leyton Orient a week ago as there last involvement in professional football. It proved to be the Magpies second victory in six matches played and there exclusion from last weekend saw the Meadow Lane club fall to 16th in the table and despite being just 5 points away from the play-offs are 7 away from the relegation zone.
A goal from on-loan striker Balint Bajner secured Nott’s County a 1-0 win at bottom-club Leyton Orient as the home side left the field to jeers. Hungarian-born Bajner collected a cross from Curtis Thompson in the 20th minute and was given time to turn and rifle his shot past Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak to put the Magpies ahead. It proved sufficient to ensure the Magpies only their second win in 12 league matches, but dispirited Orient are still looking for their first win of 2015 as they prop up the table.
In a game lacking quality from both sides and quite desperate at times, the home side only came to life in the last 15 minutes, but found experienced goalkeeper Roy Carroll in sound form to protect his clean sheet. The Orient defence had gone missing after just four minutes, but Garry Thompson failed to find the target with only goalkeeper Cisak to beat. The closest Orient came to finding the net was Matthieu Baudry's back-heel that was cleared off the goal line soon after Thompson's miss.
Magpies boss Shaun Derry (formerly with Sheffield United) is expected to give new signing Sean Newton his debut after he signed from Lincoln City last week but this will require him coming off the substitutes bench to do so with Blair Adams likely to give handed a starting place. Otherwise Derry's team is probably going to be almost unchanged with Jimmy Spencer (knee) a long term injury - though since there victory over Orient have seen Kwame Thomas and Alefe Santos return to parent club Derby County after their loan spells ended. Former Blades Academy midfielder Elliott Whitehouse will also be looking for a return to the squad after a three game absentee.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Nott's County 0 Sheffield United 2
Tonight's Fixtures: Bristol City vs. Peterborough United, Colchester United vs. MK Dons, Doncaster Rovers vs. Crewe Alexandra, Nott's County vs. Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United vs. Chesterfield. Wednesday; Leyton Orient vs. Bradford City.