Sheffield United 1, Wanderers 0

WANDERERS had only themselves to blame for not making their superiority count at Bramall Lane.

Lee Sandford headed the winner in the 81st minute, 10 minutes after replacing Keith Curle.

There was no question that Wanderers, unbeaten in their five previous games, were the better side but they failed to turn their advantage into clear-cut chances and failed to convert the few opportunities that came their way.

ACTION HIGHLIGHTS

15 mins: Tracey makes a brave interception under pressure after Gardner skins Uhlenbeek and aims a cross towards Ricketts.

16 mins: D'Jaffo looks suspiciously offside but the flag stays down as his header loops off target.

18 mins: Bergsson and D'Jaffo are lectured as tempers boil over.

19 mins: The Blades appeal in vain for a penalty as Warhurst gets the better of Murphy in an aerial challenge.

26 mins: Jaaskelainen beats away Devlin's shot after Passi carelessly loses possession to Brown.

28 mins: It's audacious and ambitious but Ricketts is only inches too high with a 20 yard chip.

36 mins: Jaaskelainen is in the right spot to collect Suffo's glancing header from Uhlenbeek's free kick.

38 mins: It looks good as Ricketts races away from Murphy until Curle heads him off on the edge of the box.

39 mins: Slick interpassing between Passi and Gardner sends Ricketts away on the right ; the cross is firm and low to the far post where Hansen races in with a first time shot into the side-netting.

43 mins: The Blades end the half strongly with Murphy heading Quinn's cross just over the bar and Passi escaping penalty appeals when the home players claimed he'd handled the ball.

Half-time: 0-0.

53 mins: Suffo turns on Devlin's pass and fires in a low left footer which Jaaskelainen does well to smother at the foot of the post.

61 mins: A good spell of Sheffield pressure sees Suffo waste a good chance, heading over from Quinn's inviting cross.

62 mins: Ricketts cuts inside, past Murphy, only to see his shot blocked by Curle.

69 mins: Marshall gets in front of Curle but just can't turn Gardner's cross on target.

77 mins: Frandsen works the ball to Marshall on the edge of the box for a shot that squirts through Tracey's hands for a corner.

GOAL!

81 mins: Sandford gets up at the back post to head home Brown's cross from Quinn's corner.

86 mins: Ricketts stretches but can't get a clean conection on Gardner's cross.

88 mins: Marshall feeds Nolan and the equaliser looks on until Murphy blocks the youngster's cross.

89 mins: Frandsen and Fredgaard go close with long range shots.

90 mins: Tracey gets across to save O'Kane's long range rocket.

Full-time: 1-0.

Sheff Utd (4-4-2): Tracey; Uhlenbeek, Murphy, Curle, Quinn; Devlin, Santos, Brown, Woodhouse; D'Jaffo, Suffo. Subs: Kelly for D'Jaffo 67 mins, Thomas for Suffo 67 mins, Sandford for Curle 72 mins, Ribeiro, Montgomery.

Wanderers (4-5-1): Jasskelainen; O'Kane, Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott; Jansen. Frandsen, Passi, Nolan Gardner; Ricketts. Subs: Marshall for Hansen 65 mins, Fredgaard for Passi 84 mins, Gope-Fenepej, Richardson, Banks.

Referee: Clive Wilkes (Gloucester).

Attendance: 14,962.