FT: Hartlepool United 0-1 Sheffield United

Neither goalkeeper was really tested in a very tight first half at Victoria Park as United looked to retake second place from their cross-city rivals Wednesday, who temporarily leapfrogged them after beating Preston in the lunchtime kick-off.

But then Evans, who else, broke the deadlock with 11 minutes to go, scoring his 31st goal of the season from the penalty spot.

United won the penalty when Sam Collins hauled down Evans and the Welshman converted to keep Danny Wilson’s side on track for an instant return to the Championship.

“We changed approach slightly because of the pitch. We can battle as well as play,” said manager Wilson, on his return to Victoria Park.

“We were aware our rivals were playing but we didn’t look at the results. Why would we?”