Colchester 2 Sheffield United 3: Stunning late salvo sees Blades grab win

Sheffield United's James Wallace battles for possession against Colchester last night.

Two down with 10 minutes to go, it looked all over for the Blades, but somehow they pulled a win out of the fire and extended their unbeaten League One run to five matches.

Ben Davies and substitute Ryan Flynn hauled the Blades level, before Davies won the match from the spot after Stefan Scougall had been fouled in the box.

It was a disappointing first half for the Blades. Nigel Clough’s men trailed at the interval courtesy of a strike from George Moncur just past the half-hour mark.

Moncur pounced with a follow-up header after Blades goalkeeper Mark Howard had saved his initial low shot. There were encouraging signs from the Blades in the early stages of the second period.

James Wallace took aim from just inside the U’s box, only to see his effort flick the side-netting.

Freddie Sears then rounded Howard before seeing a goalbound shot cleared off the line by Marc McNulty.

Davies almost levelled, but he dragged a shot wide. The hosts thought they’d wrapped up victory with 13 minutes to go when Sears tucked the ball past Howard from an acute angle, before that dramatic late twist.

Colchester: Walker, Gilbey, Eastman, Clohessy, Gordon, Sears, Massey, Moncur, Kent, Szmodics (Lawrence 76), Watt (Vose 67). Unused substitutes: Lewington, Wright, Eastmond, Holman, Bonne.

Sheffield Utd: Howard, Alcock, McNulty, McEveley (Reed 46), Harris, Davies, Wallace (Scougall 77), Doyle, Collins, McGahey, Higdon (Flynn 72). Unused substitutes: Turner, Basham, McGinn, Porter.

Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).