n 1892 the Blades won at Port Vale by ten goals to nil, this still stands today as a Football League record, but in comparison the Blades were nowhere close to matching that score-line after the Vale 'stormed' into a two goal lead before the break, through strikes from Byron Moore and Uche Ikpeazu. And whilst Matt Done came off the bench to score for United, four minutes into second half stoppage time, it would prove to be nothing more than a scant consolation.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins made just one chance to the starting line-up which played out a goalless draw at Burton Albion in midweek, Louis Reed dropped to the bench with Jose Baxter replacing the youngster - Che Adams was included on the bench after missing the previous game due to a club suspension. Playing in a mixed away kit of green shirt with white shorts and socks, the visitors began well and with just five minutes played Basham and Sammon combined, but the end result saw Bash's shot deflect for a corner. And from the resulting set-piece Edgar headed over the top.
In another fine move, Sammon elevated the ball over to Sharp, but was unable to shake off his marker and fired wide in the process. At the other end the hosts tallied a couple of half chances but, in their real first opportunity of the day ended in a positive result. Ikpeazu looked to head the Valliant’s in front, but Howard saved smartly, however he was able to recycle the possession and from close range MOORE took full advantage.
From the re-start the Blades searched for a leveller with all the chances before the break, falling to Sharp, but the former Leeds striker, despite his best efforts, couldn't find the net. He scuffed Flynn's pass wide of goal, he then fired straight at Alnwick before, on 40 minutes, he was unable to connect with Flynn's diagonal cross.
Whilst United were struggling to find a way past the Vale stopper, at the other end, the hosts were seeing more luck in front of goal, and with the match approaching half-time they doubled their lead. With three players surrounding IKPEAZU, somehow dribbled the ball through before firing the ball which beat Howard and dipped via the underside of the crossbar.
Sheffield United made a double change at the interval, with Kennedy and Adams replacing Edgar and Flynn. With little over two minutes of the second half played out, the visiting supporters were left wondering how they were not back in the game, Sammon pulled away from his marker Duffy and his timed cross for Sharp was true, but the striker's shot, from inside the six yard bos struck the body of Alnwick.
In further attempts to penetrate the Vale goal, Sammon hit over the bar and Adams curled his effort around the keeper. On 58 minutes Collins met the Baxter's cross but his header landed onto the roof of the net.
Ikpeazu found his way past Kennedy, but he too could only find the roof of the net as the hosts looked to triple their advantage, and after Daniel and Andoh both fell in the box referee Mr Sailsbury waved away any penalty appeals. On the hour mark Adkins completed his third (and final) substitution of the day with Done, making his first appearance of the season, replacing Paul Coutts.
The game was almost won for the hosts when Moore smashed his shot against the crossbar following a melee in the box. United had the majority of the possession but Vale's defence was at bay to keep out any Blades attacks.
In the last ten minutes remaining Alnwick again denied Sharp after Adams swung in a corner, and Moore again went close before, with the last kick of the match, the Blades produced a consolation goal to take back home with them to S2. A corner, crossed in from the left hand side found DONE, who had three attempts, his second bounced off the crossbar before hitting the loose ball home.
Port Vale: Alnwick, Purkiss, Dickinson, Streete, Duffy, Ikpeazu (Dodds 74), Foley, Daniel (Leitch-Smith 90), Moore, Andoh, Grant. Unused: Johnson, McGivern, Birchall, Hooper, Brown.
Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Flynn (Adams 45), Coutts (Done 60), Sharp, Baxter, Collins, Sammon, K Wallace, Edgar (Kennedy 45). Unused: McEveley, Campbell-Ryce, Reed, Long.