Rochdale vs Sheffield United. Sky Bet League One.
SpotlandAttendance3,574.
Tuesday 24 February 2015 22:38, UK
Sheffield United tightened their grip on a League One play-off place with a 2-1 win at Rochdale.
Goals either side of the break from Marc McNulty and John Brayford made it four wins from the last five games for Nigel Clough's men. Rochdale started brightly, with Peter Vincenti heading Michael Rose's free-kick over the crossbar five minutes in. But the Blades edged a tight first half when they opened the scoring after 12 minutes, Marc McNulty curling a fine finish wide of Josh Lillis in the Dale goal. Rose's deflected free-kick forced Iain Turner into his first meaningful save of the night early in the second half but Rochdale were undone by a howler from Lillis in the 62nd minute. Lillis appeared well set to collect defender Brayford's shot from distance, but he allowed the ball to squirm out of his grasp and over the line. Defender Jack O'Connell pulled one back for the home side when he headed home Ian Henderson's cross in the 75th minute but the Blades saw out the rest of the game comfortably.