Sheffield United 2 Swindon Town 0: Porter ends Bramall Lane wait for victory

New manager Chris Morgan made two changes from the side which lost in midweek to Crawley Town.

In came right-back Tony McMahon and striker Andy Porter against a team who are also challenging for promotion to the Championship.

The Blades made a ferocious start to Morgan’s new era, and could have been 4-0 up inside 10 minutes.

Left winger Jamie Murphy was involved in two early incidents, first racing down the flank before picking out Kevin McDonald, but the midfielder spooned his effort over the crossbar.

Then Murphy’s free kick was floated in to the box, seemingly evade a pack of players, before striking the post.

Dave Kitson and Andy Porter were both denied by goalmouth clearances as United pushed for their first goal at Bramall Lane in five matches.

United could not believe they had not scored inside the opening 10 minutes, Murphy the next to be denied by goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, who also thwarted Porter after the striker was set free by Kitson.

Tony McMahon then spurned a glorious chance when the right-back was the recipient of a quickly-taken free kick which caught Swindon napping.

But with just Foderingham to beat, McMahon dragged his effort wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

United finally broke the deadlock, when Porter towered high at the back post to head home McMahon’s free kick.

Swindon pushed for an equaliser in the second half, and with just a one-goal advantage there were plenty of nerves inside Bramall Lane.

Both strikers had chances to secure the victory.

First Porter created space for himself to receive Ryan Flynn’s cross, but his first touch was terrible and the ball ran away.

Then Kitson pounced on a defensive error at the back, but with just Foderingham to beat, he delayed and allowed the covering defence to scamper back and pinch the ball off his toes.

Finally, United wrapped up the points when Kitson headed home in front of a relieved Kop.