Sheffield United 2-1 Preston North End

Marc McNulty has scored 10 goals for Sheffield United this season

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:

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Clough on Sheffield United v Preston

"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
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Sheff Utd

• 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

• 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

Posted at

Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 1.

Posted at 90'+5'

Terry Kennedy (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'+5'

Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).

Posted at 90'+4'

Attempt saved. Paul Huntington (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Goal!

Posted at 90'+2'

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.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United).

Posted at 90'+1'

Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'

Robert Harris (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Kevin Davies (Preston North End).

Posted at 86'

Attempt missed. Robert Harris (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.

Posted at 86'

James Wallace (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 86'

Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).

Substitution

Posted at 85'

Substitution, Sheffield United. Kieran Wallace replaces Jose Baxter because of an injury.

Posted at 83'

Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Marc McNulty.

Posted at 83'

Attempt blocked. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Posted at 82'

Foul by Jose Baxter (Sheffield United).

Posted at 82'

Kevin Davies (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Posted at 81'

Substitution, Sheffield United. James Wallace replaces Stefan Scougall.

Posted at 80'

Foul by Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United).

Posted at 80'

Tom Clarke (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 80'

Attempt blocked. Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

Posted at 80'

Attempt blocked. Neil Kilkenny (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Substitution

Posted at 79'

Substitution, Sheffield United. Craig Alcock replaces Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Posted at 78'

Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Terry Kennedy.

Substitution

Posted at 77'

Substitution, Preston North End. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake replaces Chris Humphrey.

Posted at 76'

Attempt blocked. Kyel Reid (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Booking

Posted at 74'

Michael Doyle (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 74'

Foul by Michael Doyle (Sheffield United).

Posted at 74'

David Buchanan (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 72'

Attempt missed. Chris Humphrey (Preston North End) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.

Posted at 71'

Attempt missed. Kyel Reid (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.

Posted at 71'

Attempt saved. David Buchanan (Preston North End) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Goal!

Posted at 70'

Goal! Sheffield United 2, Preston North End 0. Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jamie Murphy.

Substitution

Posted at 67'

Substitution, Preston North End. Josh Brownhill replaces John Welsh.

Substitution

Posted at 67'

Substitution, Preston North End. Kyel Reid replaces Jermaine Beckford.

Booking

Posted at 66'

Paul Huntington (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 61'

Attempt missed. Michael Doyle (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.

Posted at 61'

Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 61'

Foul by John Welsh (Preston North End).

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