Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Port Vale 0.
Sheff UtdSheffield United1Port ValePort Vale0
Sheffield United ended a run of five games without a win as they beat Port Vale courtesy of a first-half penalty from Jose Baxter.
Victory keeps the Blades fifth and was much needed as they kept sixth-placed Peterborough two points behind them.
The penalty came when Vale's Michael O'Connor fouled Jamie Murphy inside the area, with Baxter smashing home.
Vale's day got worse when ex-Blade Michael Brown was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card.
Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It wasn't a brilliant game but it's a good clean sheet and probably the most important three points we have won this season.
"I thought we started well. We got the goal, then they got back in to it, and the defence dealt with how direct they played.
"There was a few tackles flying in but I don't think anything was too bad, the worst tackle was when we should have had a penalty.
"We probably should have scored more but we will take the win."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Howard
- 26Freeman
- 5Brayford
- 6BashamBooked at 44mins
- 3Harris
- 14DoneSubstituted forFlynnat 66'minutes
- 18CouttsBooked at 37mins
- 35HoltSubstituted forAlcockat 90+2'minutes
- 9Murphy
- 11BaxterSubstituted forDoyleat 80'minutes
- 32DaviesBooked at 87mins
Substitutes
- 2Alcock
- 7Flynn
- 8Doyle
- 12McNulty
- 16Davies
- 24Turner
- 29Adams
Port Vale
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Neal
- 2Yates
- 4Robertson
- 21VeseliBooked at 87mins
- 5McGivernBooked at 82mins
- 19MooreSubstituted forDanielat 45'minutes
- 17BrownBooked at 90mins
- 15O'Connor
- 20Marshall
- 8DoddsSubstituted forCampionat 68'minutes
- 9WilliamsonSubstituted forPopeat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Duffy
- 7Birchall
- 11Pope
- 12Johnson
- 14Daniel
- 18O'Sullivan
- 28Campion
- Referee:
- Jeremy Simpson
- Attendance:
- 18,729
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamPort Vale
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home2
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Port Vale 0.
Post update
Steve Davies (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Ryan McGivern (Port Vale).
Post update
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Tom Pope (Port Vale).
Post update
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Frederic Veseli (Port Vale).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Craig Alcock replaces Jason Holt.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Michael Brown (Port Vale).
Post update
Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Brown (Port Vale).
Post update
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Tom Pope (Port Vale).
Post update
Foul by Robert Harris (Sheffield United).
Post update
Tom Pope (Port Vale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Frederic Veseli (Port Vale) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Steve Davies (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jamie Murphy (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Jason Holt (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
