Top stuff HECK HEROES GRIT OF ALRIGHT

SHEFFIELD United boss Paul Heckingbottom praised his side’s character after they extended their lead to at the Championship summit to three points.

Oli McBurnie’s fourth goal in five league games and Iliman Ndiaye’s smart first-half opener did the trick as the buoyant Blades clinched a fourth successive league win.

Heckingbottom also took comfort from a fourth straight clean sheet from his tight team.

“Two-nil away wins don’t come easy, you’ve got to do a lot of good things right to get them,” he said.

“Credit to the players because we found a way to win. We weren’t at our best in the first half but we showed our strength in the second half. It was much more like us.

“We were lethargic in the first half and weren’t as aggressive as we normally are. We were second to things. They were better second half.”

Preston were the better side in the first half and created a hatful of chances but lacked a killer instinct.

And the hosts’ failure to find the back of the net came back to haunt them with Ben Whiteman, Troy Parrott and Ali McCann having all squandered good opportunities to shock the division’s form side.

Senegalese midfielder Ndiaye made them pay when he sweetly slotted home five minutes before half-time after a mix-up between Whiteman and defender Liam Lindsay.

Then McBurnie did what he does best, firing home from close range in front of the travelling supporters.

“We’re creating chances but it’s concerning we’re getting into good areas and we’re not finding the back of the net,” said Preston manager Ryan Lowe.

“But what I will say is we gifted them two goals.

“They’ll be a lot more happier than I am because the goal swe’ve gifted them are very sloppy on our behalf.”