Colchester 0 Sheffield United 1: Blades’ recovery continues through Porter’s late penalty

Sheffield United’s brilliant winning streak was extended to six matches last night as substitute Chris Porter’s penalty three minutes from time saw off Colchester United.
Sheffield United's Chris Porter.Sheffield United's Chris Porter.
Sheffield United's Chris Porter.

After missing a clutch of chances, Nigel Clough’s men were finally rewarded when Porter dramatically slotted home after Ben Davies had been upended by Freddie Sears.

It had been a largely uneventful first half at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, though the Blades probably shaded a goalless 45 minutes.

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First to go close was Jamie Murphy when he ran at the U’s defence purposefully before drilling narrowly wide.

At the other end Sears went close as he almost celebrated his return to the side with a goal.

As half-time approached Blades’ Stefan Scougall was twice thwarted by smart stops from goalkeeper Sam Walker.

The visitors were handed the first opportunity to strike in the second period.

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Jose Baxter stepped up to take a free-kick from the edge of the box, but he curled an effort narrowly over the top.

The woodwork then came to Colchester’s rescue, with Baxter lashing a crisp right-footed shot against a post.

By the hour mark the Blades were in command as both Murphy and Scougall were denied by the impressive Walker.

It was beginning to look as though this was not going to be Clough’s night.

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His side continued to press, but again Baxter and Neill Collins missed presentable opportunities.

Into the final 10 minutes, and again Baxter latched on to Michael Doyle’s pass, but he fired straight at Walker.

However, the visitors did finally grab their deserved reward with just three minutes left thanks to Porter’s cool finish from the spot.

Colchester United: Walker; Wilson (Sesay, 46), Okounghae, Eastman, Dickson; Wright, Vose, Bean, Sears; Morrison (Eastmond, 46), Ibehre. Substitutes not used: Cousins, Sanderson, Massey, Olufemi, Bonne.

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Sheffield United: Howard; Brayford, Maguire, Collins, Harris; Davies (Hill, 89), Coady, Doyle, Scougall; Baxter (Porter, 83), Murphy (Flynn, 81). Substitutes not used: Long, Miller, Paynter, Kennedy.

Referee: Graham Scott.

Goals from George Baldock after four minutes and Izale McLeod four minutes before the break gave MK Dons a 2-1 win over Oldham. Charlie MacDonald’s header in the 57th minute brought Oldham back into the game but it was not enough.

The win took the Dons level on points with eighth-placed Swindon, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Crawley.

Nathan Byrne scored four minutes into the second half for the Robins, but Matt Tubbs’s 80th-minute effort snatched a point for Crawley.

Results: See facing page.