Match ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Sheffield United 1.
CreweCrewe Alexandra0Sheff UtdSheffield United1
Sheffield United claimed their third win in a row as a single goal proved enough to earn to beat Crewe.
Stefan Scougall rifled in from close range on 69 minutes after Jamie Murphy cut in from the left to play him in.
Jose Baxter should have sealed victory after being tripped in the box but home keeper Ben Garratt saved his penalty.
Mark McNulty wasted a further Blades chance before Crewe were reduced to 10 men for the last four minutes when George Ray was sent off.
Crewe slide back to 23rd in the League One table, while Sheffield United rise to fifth.
Crewe manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:
"I was unsure what happened with George Ray when he was sent off. I am not sure if it was something he said or that he put his hand on him. Either way you cannot do it, that's not our style and the frustration got the better of him.
"He is still learning and it's harsh lesson for him to learn. It was difficult enough for us with 11 men, never mind 10.
"We showed some great spirit in the last 10 minutes. But, if I'm honest, they were slightly better than us. There was a lot of graft but we just lacked that quality."
Blases manager Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a dominant performance from the first minute, and to be hanging on just for even 30 seconds at the end didn't do justice to the performance.
"It's brilliant because it shows progress.
"We came here about nine months ago and lost 3-0. That's how we're trying to develop playing away from home as well as at home."
Line-ups
Crewe
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Garratt
- 2Tootle
- 5RayBooked at 87mins
- 6Dugdale
- 24Leigh
- 29BrandySubstituted forNessat 64'minutes
- 42GrantBooked at 10mins
- 7Turton
- 10InmanSubstituted forWatersat 78'minutes
- 25HaberSubstituted forHaynesat 65'minutes
- 11Cooper
Substitutes
- 1Shearer
- 3Guthrie
- 8Atkinson
- 17Waters
- 28Ness
- 30Tate
- 31Haynes
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Howard
- 2Alcock
- 26McCarthy
- 6BashamBooked at 51minsSubstituted forMcEveleyat 84'minutes
- 3Harris
- 9Murphy
- 4WallaceBooked at 90mins
- 8Doyle
- 10ScougallSubstituted forReedat 85'minutes
- 20Campbell-Ryce
- 11BaxterSubstituted forMcNultyat 85'minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 12McNulty
- 16Davies
- 17McGahey
- 19McEveley
- 21Higdon
- 22Reed
- 24Turner
- Referee:
- Peter Bankes
- Attendance:
- 5,699
Match Stats
Home TeamCreweAway TeamSheff Utd
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Sheffield United 1.
Booking
James Wallace (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Danny Haynes (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by James Wallace (Sheffield United).
Booking
Marc McNulty (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Anthony Grant (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Marc McNulty (Sheffield United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Anthony Grant (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt saved. Billy Waters (Crewe Alexandra) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by Anthony Grant (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Jay McEveley (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Ben Garratt.
Dismissal
George Ray (Crewe Alexandra) is shown the red card.
Post update
Attempt saved. Marc McNulty (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Louis Reed replaces Stefan Scougall.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Marc McNulty replaces Jose Baxter.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Jay McEveley replaces Chris Basham because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Stefan Scougall.
