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Blades triumph: Doncaster Rovers 0 Sheffield United 2
EVEN in the absence of a long-awaited new signing, Sheffield United were able to inflict a fifth consecutive defeat on local rivals Doncaster Rovers.
There may have been no sign of Brian Howard, the midfielder lined up for a loan move from Barnsley, but the player most threatened by his arrival, Stephen Quinn, also served notice of his intention to fight for a shirt.
Quinn scored the crucial second goal of the night for the Blades to ensure there was no way back for Rovers, who had trailed due to an own goal by defender Gareth Roberts.
Howard's future is expected to become clearer today with the Blades still confident of getting their man.
Barnsley issued a statement early yesterday rejecting claims made by the Blades that a permanent transfer deal had been agreed. The Tykes made particular reference to the terms of proposed sell-on arrangements.
It was also revealed that a second, un-named club had submitted an 'acceptable' offer for the midfielder although, significantly, there was nothing to indicate that Howard would actually be talking to that club.
Sources in the Midlands suggested that both Wolves and Birmingham City had joined the chase.
The mystery surrounding Howard's arrival or non-arrival was the subject on many a United supporter's lips prior to kick-off.
The plot thickened when Howard was listed as a substitute on the teamsheet given to referee Tony Bates 45 minutes before the game.
On realising that the deal, which is initially a loan, had not been finalised, Howard was replaced by Nathan Dyer – although the former's new shirt had apparently been hanging on the visitors' changing room wall.
Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll wielded the axe in an attempt to halt his side's run of defeats.
There was no room in the side for defender Sam Hird or striker Lewis Guy and midfielder James Coppinger was 'unwell' so there were first starts of the season for Adam Lockwood, Martin Woods and Mark Wilson.
Blades manager Kevin Blackwell kept faith with the side that returned to winning ways against Watford three days earlier.
That meant a second consecutive start for teenager Kyle Naughton whose debut at rightback at the weekend had earned rave reviews.
Naughton produced another classy display last night although his first real slip as a first-teamer could easily have let in Rovers for an opener.
Richie Wellens took the ball off the youngster on the byline and his subsequent pass was turned inches over the bar by Darren Byfield.
Within moments of their escape the Blades were gifted the lead thanks to defender Roberts turning a low cross from Danny Webber into his own net
It was a goal completely out of the blue as neither goalkeeper had been tested at that stage.
Rovers were unlucky not to equalise when Adam Lockwood's downward header was pushed away by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and Byfield turned the loose ball wide.
Brian Stock rattled the Blades' crossbar after bursting into the penalty area and there were groans all round as Price made a complete hash of his attempt to volley in the rebound. The Welsh striker spurned another opportunity by taking far too long to control a neat ball from Woods and hitting his shot straight at the goalkeeper's legs.
Despite going into the interval trailing, Rovers had been the better side, but simply lacked the cutting edge required to turn their possession into goals. If James Beattie had done better with a far-post header just before the break, the scoreline would have flattered the Blades even more. Of course, if Beattie or Billy Sharp played in attack for Rovers, they would probably be in the play-off zone.
Rovers made an encouraging start to the second half, but again spent more time playing football away from the danger zones.
After soaking up a spell of prolonged pressure, the Blades caught Rovers on the break again to establish the cushion of a two-goal lead. Beattie's pass sent Quinn scampering into the box and the midfielder coolly tucked the ball past Neil Sullivan.
Rovers midfielder Wellens took his frustration out on Quinn soon after and was extremely lucky to escape punishment for use of the arm.
Blades winger Greg Halford was stretchered off in the final minutes with a leg injury and Byfield wasted another opening for Rovers to rub salt into their wounds.
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; O'Connor, Mills, Lockwood, Roberts; Stock; Woods (Heffernan 80), Wilson (Guy 84); Wellens; Price (Hayter 80), Byfield. Unused substitutes: Van Nieuwstadt, Chambers.
Sheffield United: Kenny; Naughton, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith; Halford (Ehiogu 90), Speed, Quinn, Webber (Montgomery 75); Beattie (Henderson 78), Sharp. Unused substitutes: Hendrie, Dyer.
Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire)
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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