Swindon Town 2 Sheffield United 1: Blades fall to defeat as Thompson strikes

Publicly the Blades have downplayed their chances of creeping into the top six placings.

If, privately, they felt otherwise their hopes will have been dented by this late defeat at the County Ground in a game which had been delayed because of congestion caused by a serious road traffic accident.

Swindon Town, who themselves are eyeing elevation to the Championship, started brightly and took an 18th-minute lead

Alex Smith, who had already shown signs of exploiting the space between United’s midfield and defence, released Miles Storey and the 20-year-old hammered home an unstoppable finish.

The Blades’ woes were compounded in the 33rd minute when Jose Baxter was forced off through injury.

The visitors were not displaying their usual incisiveness, but nevertheless levelled after a superb move involving Jamie Murphy, Kieron Freeman and Stefan Scougall provided the opening for captain Michael Doyle to net.

The visitors were subsequently in the ascendancy and ought to have been awarded a penalty when Troy Archibald-Henville tripped Freeman.

Chris Porter ‘scored’ but was was adjudged offside and substitute Louis Thompson increased Blades’ agitation with the hosts’ late winner.

Swindon Town: Foderingham, Archibald-Henville, Stephens, McEveley, Nathan Thompson (Byrne 67), Cox, Kasim, Gladwin (Louis Thompson 62), Alex Smith, Storey, Michael Smith (Waldon 80). Unused substitutes: Barthram, Belford, Branco, Barker.

Sheffield United: Howard, Davies, Brayford, Collins, Freeman (Paynter 90), Doyle, Coady, Flynn, Scougall (McGinn 60), Murphy, Baxter (Porter 33). Unused substitutes: Long, Khan, Kennedy, Dimaio.

Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire).