heffield United supporters already know that if they are to make the top two automatic positions that they will require a similar run as to last season when in February 2014 they managed an unbeaten run of 8 matches (which consisted of 1 draw). back then the Blades were fighting relegation and would eventually secure a 7th spot finish. This season United are 5th but prior to last night’s victory were 12 points behind second spot and there win at Meadow Lane (married with MK Dons victory) has now put the Blades 11 points behind but have to date secured three back-to-back victories.
The trip to Meadow Lane was always going to guarantee goals galore where you have to go back 30 years (17 games) since our last 0-0 score-line there. With Baxter injured during the 3-1 victory at Bristol City Blades boss Nigel Clough made slight changes with Jason Holt replacing the former Evertonian whilst Chris Basham and Terry Kennedy filled in at centre-half with Louis Reed being given a starting role.
United started the match off brightly and from a spectators point of view looked like it was it be a night where the Blades would walk away with a 3-0 win but the game turned to be a game of 'two-halves' as County looked more the threat in the second 45 minutes. It was Jamie Murphy who opened up the scoring before the hosts scored a fortunate equaliser. The Scot combined well with Bob Harris from a throwing to outpace his marker and unleashing a telling shot into the far top corner of the goal past a reaching Roy Carroll.
Since his appointment in 2013 Shaun Derry has turned his Magpies team in battlers and this alone may save the club from possible relegation, but it was there strength in unity which saw the Pies level the scoring. Noble was credited with the goal but he was quite fortunate that the ball fell to him after John Brayford's clearance unfortunately hit Reed on the back of the head before bouncing back to the County attacker for him to back heel into the net.
From then on the hosts grew in confidence and lacklustre defending allowed Garry Thompson to draw an excellent save from Iain Turner who has been impressive whilst covering for the injured Mark Howard as County looked dangerous from the off in the second half. They had finished the first off in good fashion and continued in the second the same manor. Thompson again came close, this time flashing wide of the post as the Blades looked out of control.
But in the end the quality within United's team paid dividends with Done finishing from close range after Harris again turned provider - the striker wheeled away in celebration, saluting the 2,900 travelling fans with 16 minutes remaining.
Nott's County; Carroll 7, Dumbuya 6, B Adams 7, Mullins 6, Hayhurst 6 (Newton 77), G Thompson 7, Jones 6 (Woolery 77), C Thompson 6, Noble 7 Bajner 7, Edwards 6. Not used: Pilkington, Hollis, White, Daniels, Harrad.
Sheffield United;: Turner 8, Harris 7, Brayford 7, Basham 6, Doyle 6, Murphy 7, Done 7 (Freeman 89), Coutts 7, Reed 6 (McNulty 61), Kennedy 6, Holt 7 (Alcock 86). Not used: Willis, Davies, Campbell-Ryce, C Adams.