Morgan hails brilliant Baxter

Sheffield United coach Chris Morgan hailed Jose Baxter after the centre-forward's wonder goal proved to be enough to see off Crawley.

The former Everton youngster netted the only goal of the game after applying the finishing touches to a move involving Craig Alcock and captain Michael Doyle. Despite being 25 yards from goal, Baxter fired a perfectly placed shot into the top corner of Brian Jensen's net to hand United their first home victory of the new League One season. Morgan said: "It was a brilliant goal and worthy of winning a match at whatever level. That shows the ability that he's got and long may it continue. "It was hard work at times but that's another good step forward for us against opponents who came here determined to make it difficult for us and dig-in. Credit to them for that. "But the most important thing, from our perspective at least, was coming away with all three points and to keep the momentum going." Nigel Clough's men beat Peterborough four days before hosting John Gregory's side and Morgan said: "That should do our confidence the world of good. It's all about putting the building blocks together at this stage and that's another box ticked for us. "We looked at little bit nervy at times but that was understandable. We know what we are expected to achieve this season and we want to do that from a solid base." But United, despite enjoying more territory and possession, could count themselves fortunate not to be losing and at a numerical disadvantage by half time. Harrison McGahey, the hosts' young centre-back enjoyed a lucky escape when he clipped Izale McLeod while Jay McEveley and Alcock produced excellent blocks to deny Bobson Bawling and Gwion Edwards moments before the break. But United had also created several promising opportunities of their own with Baxter seeing a close-range shot deflected into the side-netting before Jensen, the former Burnley goalkeeper, bravely smothered Davies' in-swinging free-kick at the feet of Higdon. Gregory said: "We didn't win but that was probably the best performance we've produced since my time at Crawley. We had a game plan and we stuck to it really well. "The goal was excellent and Jose is liable to come up with pieces of skill like that so you have to be so careful against him. "I can't fault the lads at all and, even though it didn't end up as we would have liked, I think we can take a lot from that performance because this is such a difficult place to come and play football. "Sheffield United are among the favourites to win promotion and quite rightly so. But we made them work hard for what they got and I was actually disappointed we weren't leading at half time." Gregory added: "We could have had two or three goals before the interval and, to be honest, I think that came at the wrong time for us because we switched off a little at the start of the second and you saw what happened. "We'll learn from that but I can't be critical of the players at all and I actually think that is something they're going to be able to take a lot from."