Shrewsbury Town 2 Sheffield United 0: Ten-man Blades lose Clough unbeaten run

Brandy had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes – he replaced the injured Neill Collins at half-time – when the former Walsall winger was dismissed for violent conduct, after shoving Connor Goldson in the face.

Joe Jacobson had put the Shrews ahead just before half-time with a stunning 30-yard shot into the top corner.

Then, after Brandy’s exit, the hosts made their numerical advantage count when Goldson played in Liam McAlinden, who hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

“I am bitterly dissapointed with the result, but we can take plenty of positives, which is a bit strange when you have lost 2-0,” said Clough.

“We conceded to a fantastic strike just before half-time, then ill discipline in the second-half costs us the chance of getting a point, if not all three.

“The attitude, application and effort was excellent though, particularly with ten men, we kept plugging away and still created chances.

“We felt we were in control of the game for long periods and until the sending off we were starting to crank up the pressure in the second-half kicking towards our supporters.

“Aidy (White) supplied a terrific ball in from the left and on other day one of our strikers adds a finishing touch.

“Overall though we didn’t make the Shrewsbury goalkeeper work enough.

“We got a lot of balls into the box and had several shots over the top, but we really should have made him work more.”

Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner said: “It was a hard earned three points, and the team we were playing were decent so it’s been a great afternoon’s work.

“We need to take good points from upcoming matches, so we’ve got off to a good start.”

Shrewsbury: Weale, Woods, Winfield, Mkandawire, Jacobson (Goldson 45), Taylor, Wroe, Wildig, Reach, Bradshaw (Summerfield 87), Lopez (McAlinden 73). Unused substitutes: Jones, McAllister, Parry, Anyon.

Sheffield United: Long, McMahon, Maguire, Collins (Brandy 46), Hill, Flynn (McGinn 78), Doyle, Lappin, White, Taylor, King (Miller 63). Unused substitutes: Howard, Baxter, Cuvelier, Coady.

Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).

Man of the match: Aidy White.