Match ends, Rochdale 1, Sheffield United 2.
RochdaleRochdale1Sheff UtdSheffield United2
Sheffield United gave their bid for a play-off place a significant boost with a narrow win at mid-table Rochdale.
Marc McNulty opened the scoring for the Blades in the first half with a fine, curling effort.
John Brayford doubled their lead after the break when his shot squirmed past Rochdale's Josh Lillis, before Jack O'Connell's header halved the deficit.
Rochdale searched for an equaliser, but Nigel Clough's men held on for a fourth win in their last five league games.
Line-ups
Rochdale
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Lillis
- 2Rafferty
- 5Eastham
- 22O'Connell
- 33Kennedy
- 14Héry
- 25Rose
- 26LoganSubstituted forNoble-Lazarusat 31'minutes
- 7VincentiSubstituted forBennettat 68'minutes
- 40Henderson
- 10BrandySubstituted forBellat 55'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Bennett
- 11Noble-Lazarus
- 17Tanser
- 21Musangu
- 24Allen
- 31Bell
- 39Bunney
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Turner
- 5Brayford
- 27Kennedy
- 19McEveley
- 3Harris
- 6Basham
- 8Doyle
- 7FlynnSubstituted forFreemanat 71'minutes
- 18CouttsSubstituted forReedat 83'minutes
- 9MurphyBooked at 44mins
- 12McNultySubstituted forDoneat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 13Willis
- 14Done
- 16Davies
- 22Reed
- 26Freeman
- 29Adams
- 36Calvert-Lewin
- Referee:
- Tony Harrington
- Attendance:
- 3,574
Match Stats
Home TeamRochdaleAway TeamSheff Utd
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home2
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away14
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Rochdale 1, Sheffield United 2.
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Foul by Rhys Bennett (Rochdale).
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Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Jack O'Connell (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Matt Done (Sheffield United).
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Foul by Michael Rose (Rochdale).
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Kieron Freeman (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Tom Kennedy (Rochdale) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Kieron Freeman (Sheffield United).
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Foul by Nyal Bell (Rochdale).
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Jamie Murphy (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Louis Reed replaces Paul Coutts.
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Attempt saved. Nyal Bell (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Ashley Eastham (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Robert Harris (Sheffield United).
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Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Goal!
Goal! Rochdale 1, Sheffield United 2. Jack O'Connell (Rochdale) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Ian Henderson.
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Attempt blocked. Bastien Héry (Rochdale) right footed shot from very close range is blocked.
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Corner, Rochdale. Conceded by Jay McEveley.
