Jamie Murphy carved his name into the history books this weekend as despite drawing 1-1 with promotion chasing Leyton Orient the Scottish forward netted the clubs' 7,000th league goal - The former Scotland under-21 international cancelled out Dean Cox's opener for the visitors as a match who had previously failed to capture the imagination burst into life. Substitutes Stefan Scougall and Ben Davies both spurned chances to ensure United claimed maximum points but the contest finished all-square with Russell Slade's men losing ground in the race to overhaul second-placed Brentford. Despite the high stakes - the Blades face Hull in the FA Cup semi-finals next weekend while Orient are chasing automatic promotion - the action was decidedly low key until Cox's 41st-minute effort.
Moses Odubajo launched a series of promising forays down the right flank but failed to apply the finishing touches while, at the other end, Ryan Flynn deposited a header straight into the arms of goalkeeper Jamie Jones. With both teams looking to be solid first and spectacular second, it was always going to take something special to spark the match into life. Conor Coady, United's on-loan midfielder, nearly provided it with an excellent pass which seemed destined to release Chris Porter before Scott Cuthbert intervened. Moments later, the former England under-20 international saw his appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Michael Jones after tangling with the Orient defender.
John Brayford forced Jones to make a flying save as the hosts began to wrestle control. But, just as it seemed Clough's men were about to take charge, Cox pounced from close-range after Omozusi had recycled the ball following John Lundstram's blocked shot. Clough, clearly unimpressed by his team's showing before the break, will have been encouraged to see them start the second-half in much more positive fashion with Stephen McGinn seeing a long-range effort deflected behind and Brayford unleashing a vicious first-time shot which was blocked.
United got their reward in the 63rd minute when Davies sent Murphy scampering through and, after beating both Mathieu Baudry and Jones, the Scottish winger scored his club's 7000th league goal. Flynn saw a looping shot tipped over the crossbar as the hosts moved through the gears while Brayford should have edged United ahead after meeting Davies' free-kick only to glance his header wide.
Blades boss Nigel Clough has already hinted that he may tinker with his squad against the Millers tonight with the FA Cup semi-final against Hull City on Sunday in mind. This may mean that he rests key players such has Harry Maguire, Jose Baxter, Stefan Scougall and Chris Porter with Terry Kennedy, Stephen McGinn, Ben Davies and Billy Paynter taking their place. However he is without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligament damage) who is sidelined through injury.
He may decide to recall Bob Harris into the starting line-up after appearing from the substitute’s bench last weekend to face his former club. He joined the Millers on a month’s loan from Blackpool in September 2012 - making his debut for the then League Two side in a 3-1 home win over Oxford United and went onto make five first team appearances and scored once at Aldershot (3-0) before returning to Bloomfield Road.
Rotherham United secured a play-off place last weekend with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Gillingham when they found themselves 2-1 down despite taking the lead. They had taken the lead within two minutes, Kieran Agard firing home but goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa (30) and Myles Weston (50) put the Gills ahead. Tom Hitchcock (69) drew the visitor’s level. Bradley Dack (84) restored the hosts lead before Hitchcock netted twice to complete a hat-trick and grab a late victory. The result left the South Yorkshire outfit unbeaten in 16 matches and has to go back to 1 January since their last defeat.
With a top six place already secure Millers manager Steve Evans may rest several key players but only list Mark Bradley (knee) has their only casualty - though could wheel out former Sheffield United and Derby County defender Claude Davis to face his former club.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 0 Rotherham United 0