Colchester United 1-2 Sheffield United

Sheffield United moved to within a point of the League One play-off places as they edged out struggling Colchester thanks to Chris Basham's late winner.

The Blades went in front when Billy Sharp's low shot squeezed past Jake Kean after Matt Briggs failed to clear.

Colchester equalised just before the hour when Tom Eastman glanced in a header from Marvin Sordell's cross.

The U's pushed for a winner, but it was United who snatched victory as Edgar turned in a corner from close range.

Colchester have not won in the league since 20 October - a run of 13 games - and are now five points from safety.

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Colchester

Formation 4-4-2

32Kean

24Brindley5Wynter18Eastman3Briggs

11Massey8Gilbey2Garvan10Moncur

45Sordell9Porter

• 32Kean
• 24BrindleySubstituted forBonneat 90+4'minutes
• 5Wynter
• 18Eastman
• 3Briggs
• 11MasseySubstituted forAmbroseat 85'minutes
• 8Gilbey
• 2Garvan
• 10Moncur
• 45Sordell
• 9Porter

Substitutes

• 4Edwards
• 7Wright
• 15Kent
• 19Bonne
• 22Vincent-Young
• 28Ambrose
• 33Parish

Sheff Utd

Formation 4-4-2

25Long

5Brayford15Collins34Edgar19McEveley

17Woolford6Basham35Hammond8Coutts

14Done10Sharp

• 25Long
• 5Brayford
• 15Collins
• 34Edgar
• 19McEveley
• 17Woolford
• 6Basham
• 35Hammond
• 8CouttsSubstituted forFlynnat 71'minutes
• 14DoneSubstituted forBaxterat 64'minutes
• 10SharpSubstituted forSammonat 90+4'minutes

Substitutes

• 1Howard
• 7Flynn
• 11Baxter
• 18Sammon
• 20Campbell-Ryce
• 22Reed
• 29Adams

Referee:

Brendan Malone

Attendance:

4,322

Match Stats

Home TeamColchesterAway TeamSheff Utd

Possession

Home53%

Away47%

Shots

Home12

Away7

Shots on Target

Home6

Away4

Corners

Home7

Away4

Fouls

Home5

Away8

Live Text

1. Post update

   Match ends, Colchester United 1, Sheffield United 2.

2. 90'+6'

   Full Time

   Second Half ends, Colchester United 1, Sheffield United 2.

3. 90'+4'

   Post update

   Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Chris Basham.

4. 90'+4'

   Substitution

   Substitution, Sheffield United. Conor Sammon replaces Billy Sharp.

5. 90'+4'

   Substitution

   Substitution, Colchester United. Macauley Bonne replaces Richard Brindley.

6. 90'+1'

   Goal!

   Goal! Colchester United 1, Sheffield United 2. Chris Basham (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Martyn Woolford following a set piece situation.

7. 90'+1'

   Post update

   Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Owen Garvan.

8. 90'+1'

   Post update

   Foul by Alex Gilbey (Colchester United).

9. 90'+1'

   Post update

   Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

10. 89'

    Post update

    Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Alex Gilbey.

11. 89'

    Post update

    Attempt saved. George Moncur (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

12. 86'

    Post update

    Foul by Tom Eastman (Colchester United).

13. 86'

    Post update

    Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

14. 86'

    Post update

    Attempt saved. George Moncur (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

15. 85'

    Substitution

    Substitution, Colchester United. Darren Ambrose replaces Gavin Massey.

16. 85'

    Post update

    Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by John Brayford.

17. 84'

    Post update

    Attempt missed. Jose Baxter (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.

18. 83'

    Post update

    Attempt saved. George Moncur (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

19. 80'

    Post update

    Attempt blocked. George Moncur (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

20. 79'

    Post update

    Marvin Sordell (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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