MK Dons 0 Sheffield United 1: Clough delight as Blades reach seventh heaven

Stefan Scougall scored a fine goal midway through the first half to help United climb to 12th in the table, just weeks after being firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.

The whole performance left Clough beaming with pride at his FA Cup quarter-finalists.

He said: “We said after the win at Gillingham that was our best win of the season, well this surpassed it given the circumstances and the quality of the opposition.

“Considering everything we have had to put in during recent matches and to still produce such a performance is staggering really.

“We thought we could have nicked a goal at the start of the second-half too, because for 20 minutes after half-time we were brilliant.

“That was above and beyond in terms of graft and determination, especially on such an energy sapping surface, to win 1-0 and notch a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions is incredible.

“The spirit and belief that is running through the team at the minute is fantastic. The defeat at Crewe was us hitting rock bottom, since then we have been exceptional and to keep six clean sheets in the process is also remarkable.

“We have thoroughly deserved to win every one of the last seven matches and we are nearly there in terms of survival, but we won’t let our confidence turn into complacency.”

Conor Coady sent Scougall clear of the Dons defence, and he fired in from close range in the 23rd minute and the Blades were able to control the game from then on.

MK Dons: Martin, Lewington, Cole (Odelusi 52), Chadwick (Smith 52), Reeves, McLeod, Alli, Powell (Hall 52), Baldock, Spence, Kay. Unused substitutes: McLoughlin, Hickford, Collinge, Summerfield.

Sheffield United: Howard, Harris, Brayford (Davies 17), Hill, Flynn, Doyle, Baxter, Collins, Coady, Scougall (Kennedy 81), Murphy (Porter 40). Unused substitutes: Miller, Paynter, Long, Reed.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: Neill Collins.