Leyton O 0 Sheff Utd 1: Unbeaten Blades run extended as Blackman strikes stunning goal

The 22-year-old curled a delightful 25-yard left-foot shot past home goalkeeper Ryan Allsop’s outstretched arm, much to the delight of his manager Danny Wilson, who was satisfied with his side’s overall display.

“I think overall the performance was very strong and we didn’t have many problems if I’m quite honest,” said Wilson.

“I thought we were totally in control. I think for large parts of the game we dominated the play.

“I wasn’t too happy with the situations that developed and that final ball, but we’re happy with the points.”

The opening skirmishes of what had promised to be an awkward encounter against Russell Slade’s side, proved exactly that with Blades goalkeeper Mark Howard forced to withdraw after 11 minutes and youngster George Long taking his place between the posts after he pulled a muscle taking a goal kick.

The impressive Tony McMahon flashed a shot over the crossbar before seeing his appeals for a 17th-minute penalty turned down. He then tested Orient’s goalkeper Allsop from distance following an excellent 28th-minute move involving Paul Gallagher and Ryan Flynn.

Flynn, operating on the left wing, created an opening for Kevin McDonald but his fellow Scot slipped at the vital moment and failed to properly connect 12 yards from goal.

It was United who seized the initiative early in the second half, seeing plenty of possession without creating any clear-cut chances. Matt Hill and McMahon also made important contributions but Gallagher’s delivery was letting him down.

His frustration grew still further when Dave Kitson failed to find him with a short, stabbed pass.

But the former Portsmouth striker had no such problems in the 59th minute when he teed-up Blackman after some fine work involving McMahon and Flynn and the youngster duly dispatched an unstoppable curling finish.

In the 69th minute, Long produced a superb save to deny Kevin Lisbie following Lee Cook’s cross to the far post, but that was as close as the home side got.

Leyton Orient: Allsop, McSweeney, Chorley, Clarke, Sawyer, J Smith (Symes 46), Griffith, Rowlands (James 81), Cook, Cox, Lisbie (Brunt 78). Unused substitutes: Baudry, Laird, Odubajo, Mooney.

Sheffield United: Howard (Long 11),McMahon,Maguire,Hill,Williams,Flynn, Doyle,McDonald,Gallagher,Blackman (Cresswell 83), Kitson (Porter 83). Unused substitutes: Westlake, Miller, McAllister, McFadzean.

Referee: D Phillips (West Sussex).