Rochdale 1 - 2 Sheffield United

A mistake from Dale stopper Josh Lillis ultimately gave promotion chasing Sheffield United the three points despite a spirited late rally from Dale. A wonderfully worked opener by Marc McNulty separated the two sides at the interval but a real clanger from Lillis allowed full back John Brayford to get his name on the score sheet. Jack O’Connell set up a tense last 15 minutes but Dale’s powder-puff attack couldn’t breach the United back line a second time.

Dale manager, Keith Hill made three changes to the side that beat Chesterfield at weekend with captain Olly Lancashire and midfield general Stephen Dawson missing out through injury. Febian Brandy was handed his debut up front in place of Joe Bunney.

Former Dale striker Matt Done, who joined the visitors on transfer deadline day, started on the bench for Sheffield United.

The opening to the game was played at a frenetic pace with Dale going close through Peter Vincenti but his header flashed over.

United took the lead on 21 minutes with a delightful goal. Full back Bob Harris played a perfect through ball that dissected the Dale defence and McNulty finished with aplomb from inside the area.

Dale responded well to going behind with Turner being forced into a save from Henderson’s deft header after he guided a Michael Rose free kick on target.

Rose’s set pieces were again causing problems when a right wing free-kick was cleared off the line by a United player inside a crowded area.

The second half followed a similar flow to the first with Dale’s main attacking threat coming from the left foot of Michael Rose. The defensive midfielder saw his free-kick deflected but Turner managed to re-adjust his feet to gather.

Soon afterwards Dale were 2-0 down after the mistake by Lillis. Full-back Brayford picked up the ball on the half way line before being allowed to drive forward and unleashing a powerful shot from fully 40 yards that should have been easy pickings for Lillis but he somehow managed to let the ball squirm under his hands and into the net.

Again Dale responded well and got a lifeline with 16 minutes left to play. Ian Henderson’s perfectly weighted cross evaded the United back-line with Jack O’Connell waiting at the back post to head his fourth of the season.

Substitute Nyal Bell warmed the hands of Turner with a powerful shot but Dale couldn’t force an equaliser.

Attendance: 3,574

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, O’Connell, Kennedy, Rose, Logan (Noble-Lazarus 31), Hery, Vincenti (Bennett 68), Henderson, Brandy (Bell 55)
Subs: (Not used) Tanser, Allen, Diba, Bunney

Sheffield United: Turner, Harris, Brayford, McEveley, Kennedy, Bsham,Doyle, Couts (Reed 83), Murphy, Flynn (Freeman 71), McNulty (Done 46)
Subs: (not used) Willis, Davies, Adams, Calvert-Lewin

Referee: Mr T Harrington
Assistant Referees: Mr M D’Aguilar & Mr N Barnard
Fourth Official: Mr G Hilton