TEN-MAN IRON ABLE TO BLUNT BLADES...
But boss Wilder is confident
LEAGUE-LEADERS Sheffield United missed the chance to stretch their advantage over ten-man Scunthorpe, but Chris Wilder believes his team’s performance proves how tough it will be to stop them winning the league.
The Blades dominated the first half but found themselves a goal down to Paddy Madden’s strike just minutes after the restart.
But Billy Sharp hit back immediately and, when Harry Toffolo was sent off just minutes later, it looked to be advantage Sheffield United.
A resolute, backs-to-the-wall performance from the visitors ensured they remain five points behind the Blades with a game in hand, but Wilder insisted he had no complaints.
“It’s been a big week for us, and I’m certainly not disappointed with where we are,” Wilder said, after a return of five points from three games.
“You’ve seen what the players are like. I wouldn’t want to be in any other changing room in the division apart from ours.
“In the dressing room there’s a bit of disappointment, but I’ve told them there’s no reason to be disappointed at all. That was a proper performance by my team.
“The players we’ve got, the character, their attitude, the ability they’ve got and the way they’re playing – I think we’re in a great position with 13 games to go.
“If they play like they have done this past week consistently, then we’re going to be a tough team to stop.”
There were just 85 seconds on the clock when Sharp volleyed the Blades’ first meaningful chance wide, setting the tone for the afternoon.
For all their attacking possession however, clear-cut chances were few and far between and it took until the second half for the game to burst into life.
Scunthorpe struck first; Stephen Dawson’s low cross spinning into the path of the unmarked Madden who tapped in from close range on 47 minutes.
But the visiting supporters’ celebrations were cut short just two minutes later when the ball
dropped for Sharp at the back post and the Blades captain fired into the far corner.
And Scunthorpe’s concerns grew further on 51 minutes when Toffolo – already booked for a shirt pull in the first half – clattered into Kieron Freeman to earn a second yellow card.
But – after insisting Toffolo’s second yellow card was a harsh one – Scunthorpe boss Graham Alexander was bursting with pride thanks to his team’s response.
“We didn’t rise to the occasion first half, but second-half we came and showed what we’re all about,” Alexander said.
“I thought from the red card, the players showed massive heart and a commitment to getting out of here with something positive.
“We had to dig in and show what we’re about and I thought the players just grew. They ran more, grew in stature and made it really difficult to break us down.”
John Fleck let fly with a leftfooted piledriver on 69 minutes which went just over, and Sharp’s low prodded shot was turned wide by Luke Daniels in the 82nd minute.
The visitors nearly snatched victory with two minutes remaining when Sam Mantom pulled back for Madden, whose shot hit the post.
There was still time for the Blades to hit the post themselves, Jay O’Shea cutting inside and beating Daniels in stoppage time only to see the shot rebound back into the keeper’s arms.
And Alexander added: “We had to leave this ground as men and be able to look ourselves in the mirror. I think every single one of them can do that.
“I’m so proud of what the players did in the second-half.
“But we have to build on it now. We can’t take a step down, we have to build on it.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: (3-4-1-2): Moore 6, Basham 7, Wright 8, O’Connell 7 (Done 90 N/A), Freeman 6, Coutts 8, Fleck 7, Lafferty 7 (O’Shea 83 6), Duffy 7, Sharp 7, Hanson 6 (Lavery 79 6). Subs not used: Long, Riley, Ebanks-Landell, Carruthers
SCUNTHORPE UNITED: (4-3-3): Daniels 7, Sutton 6, Mirfin 7, Wallace 8, Toffolo 4, Bishop 7, Dawson 6, Crooks 5 (Mantom 78 6), Van Veen 5 (Hopper 71 7), Madden 7 (Davies 90 N/A), Morris 6. Subs not
used: Anyon, Holmes, Goode, Toney