Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 1.
Sheff UtdSheffield United2PrestonPreston North End1
Sheffield United beat promotion-chasing Preston to end their run of six games without a win in League One.
Marc McNulty netted his 10th goal of the season from close-range; his left-footed effort beating Thorsten Stuckmann in the Preston goal.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce doubled the Blades' advantage when he drilled a low shot through Stuckmann's legs.
Josh Brownhill rifled in a free-kick for a late Preston consolation goal, but the Blades held on to win.
Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"An incredible amount of hard work went in against a very good side.
"I think a lot of sides when they go 2-0 down just crumble, but Preston just upped the ante.
"I thought we played well up to half-time but we came out in the second half and just said 'let's play with a bit more intent and purpose', and that's what we did."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Howard
- 7Flynn
- 27Kennedy
- 19McEveley
- 3Harris
- 20Campbell-RyceSubstituted forAlcockat 79'minutes
- 10ScougallSubstituted forWallaceat 81'minutes
- 8DoyleBooked at 74mins
- 9Murphy
- 11BaxterSubstituted forWallaceat 85'minutes
- 12McNulty
Substitutes
- 2Alcock
- 4Wallace
- 21Higdon
- 22Reed
- 24Turner
- 29Adams
- 33Wallace
Preston
Formation 4-4-2
- 21Stuckmann
- 4Wiseman
- 5ClarkeBooked at 58mins
- 23HuntingtonBooked at 66mins
- 16Buchanan
- 7HumphreySubstituted forEbanks-Blakeat 77'minutes
- 8KilkennyBooked at 38mins
- 19WelshSubstituted forBrownhillat 67'minutes
- 12Gallagher
- 10BeckfordBooked at 51minsSubstituted forReidat 67'minutes
- 9Davies
Substitutes
- 1Jones
- 6Wright
- 15Woods
- 17Reid
- 30Brownhill
- 31Browne
- 40Ebanks-Blake
- Referee:
- Pat Miller
- Attendance:
- 19,902
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamPreston
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away21
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 1.
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Terry Kennedy (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).
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Attempt saved. Paul Huntington (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 1. Josh Brownhill (Preston North End) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top right corner.
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Foul by Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United).
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Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Robert Harris (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Kevin Davies (Preston North End).
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Attempt missed. Robert Harris (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
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James Wallace (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Kieran Wallace replaces Jose Baxter because of an injury.
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Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Marc McNulty.
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Attempt blocked. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Jose Baxter (Sheffield United).
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Kevin Davies (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. James Wallace replaces Stefan Scougall.
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Foul by Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United).
