Sheffield United 0 Crawley 2: Still few comforts at home as Blades drop back

There had been no goals scored at Bramall Lane since February 16, encompassing five hours and 47 minutes before that sequence was broken with two in quick succession.

That they were both scored by Crawley, a team with nothing to play for but pride, illustrated just how poorly Danny Wilson’s side are finishing the season.

Their drought on home soil now stands at six hours, giving the 18,000 fans who turned out to see them little option but to vent their frustration at the final whistle.

There were even chants of “Wilson Out” from some sections of the home support as they saw a golden opportunity to close in on the top two go begging.

The Blades need wins, and as flat as another stalemate would have left fans, at least it would have been a point in the right direction.

Results elsewhere last night meant the status quo in the League One promotion race remained.

But it leaves United effectively needing to win all five of their remaining games to clinch an automatic promotion place.

That they have two home games in the coming week against promotion rivals Swindon and Brentford will not hearten United fans, who have seen just a paltry seven home wins all season, and only one since Boxing Day.

They were limited last night against dangerous opponents who were lively and full value for their victory.

But for a slice of fortune United may have been two to the good before their former loanee Billy Clarke and Paul Hayes sunk them in the last 13 minutes.

Ryan Flynn and Michael Doyle hit the post either side of half-time.

Given their recent failings at home, an early goal would have done wonders for the anxiety reverberating around Bramall Lane.

Such a reward was not forthcoming as United toiled against a mobile Crawley unit.

Nicky Adams and Clarke roamed freely on the flanks, or in behind Crawley’s lone front man, Jamie Proctor.

United were equally urgent up front, but their chasing was more of the lost-cause variety as passes were often ahead or behind their intended target.

With each misplaced pass from the hosts, and slick move from the visitors, the frustration in the stands grew.

Clarke drilled a shot wide after a good run from Proctor down the left, then a well-worked corner created an opportunity for Sergio Torres on the edge of the box but his shot flew inches wide of George Long’s post.

A free header that Neill Collins skied was as close as it got for United, until five minutes before the break when Flynn arrowed a low shot from the angle of the penalty area across Paul Jones that struck the post.

Adams continued to test United’s rearguard and from his teasing cross on the cusp of half-time, Long made a terrific flying save from Clarke’s close-range header.

The Blades returned from the dressing room with greater urgency and it nearly brought instant reward.

Doyle smashed a 25-yard volley against the foot of Jones’s post and again the rebound did not fall kindly for the Blades.

That increased tempo did not last long and Crawley were soon back in the game.

Torres shot straight at Long through a sea of legs, then Adams unleashed a dipping drive from 25 yards that went inches over.

Danny Wilson made changes, replacing Jonathan Forte – who had been full of running but lacking in end product – with Chris Porter, and Jamie Murphy with Callum McFadzean.

Porter was instantly involved, meeting a weighted chip to the back post by Kitson with a header that went high and wide.

Then at last a backline was breached, but to the frustration of the Blades faithful, it was their own. Collins slipped as he tried to play the ball back to Long and Hayes – the former Barnsley striker on for the shattered Proctor -–pounced. He raced down the right and squared the ball across to Clarke who met it with a crisp shot under Long.

Harry Maguire’s free-kick nearly fell kindly to McFadzean, but consistent with their night, the ball did not fall kindly for the Blades. On 85 minutes, Hayes robbed Maguire on the edge of the area and slotted the ball home.

Shouts of “Wilson Out” could be heard as disgruntled home fans headed for the exit. It was only United’s second defeat in 12 – but it was a dispiriting one.

Sheffield United: Long; Hill, Maguire, Collins, Higginbotham; Murphy (McFadzean 66), McDonald, Doyle, Flynn; Kitson, Forte (Porter 66). Unused substitutes: Coyne, Westlake, Robson, Ironside, Kennedy.

Crawley Town: Jones; Hunt, Walsh, Essam, Sadler; Bulman, Adams, Clarke (Connolly 86), Torres, Jones; Proctor (Hayes 70). Unused substitutes: Dumbuya, O’Brien, Elford-Alliyu, Maddison, Malins.

Referee: N Miller (County Durham).