Sheffield Utd 1 Crewe 2: Blades left to focus on key Yorkshire derbies

The Alex substitute, making his first appearance since November, 2013 after being beset by injury issues and off-the-field problems, had his moment on 90 minutes with his long-ranger deflecting off the head of Paul Coutts and flying past Mark Howard.

It was not just a milestone goal for him, but also Crewe, who secured their first victory at Bramall Lane, as the Blades still wrestle with finding a way to get out of League One.

For the Blades, a good week ended in the worst way possible, with the result bearing similarities to their last-gasp 2-1 home loss to Peterborough on March 3.

Crewe took the lead on 12 minutes when ex-Doncaster loanee Uche Ikpeazu showed strength to set up Lauri Dalle Valle, who stroked the ball past Howard.

The Blades conjured a leveller when Jason Holt fired him his second goal in successive home matches after being supplied by Jamie Murphy.

Chris Basham later headed against the bar before the dramatic denouement saw Crewe secured the spoils.

Basham admitted to a sense of frustration afterwards for the Blades, but believes their next two assignments – keynote derbies with Barnsley and Doncaster – will sharpen everyone’s focus and have come at a good time.

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Brayford, Harris, Coutts, Holt, Baxter (Doyle 74), Flynn (Ben Davies 46), Steven Davies (Done 74), Murphy. Unused substitutes: Alcock, McNulty, Turner, Adams.

Crewe Alexandra: Rachubka, Turton, Tate, Davis, Leigh, Grant, Ness, Atkinson (Stewart 76), Ajose (Inman 85), Ikpeazu (Colclough 71), Dalla Valle.Unused substitutes: Guthrie, Ray, Saunders, Waters.

Referee: J Adcock (Nottinghamshire).

Man of the match: Anthony Grant.