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Doncaster's Beauty beats Blades Beast - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDE SHOW
SheffIELD UNIted 0 Doncaster ROVs 1 O'Connor (50)
BEAUTY beat the beast at Bramall Lane as Doncaster Rovers, a team intent on passing their way to safety, inflicted a rare but potentially costly defeat upon Sheffield United who, until last night, appeared to have perfected the art of winning ugly.
That the goal which lifted them out of the bottom three, claimed by James O'Connor but credited to Chris Morgan, was hardly the most intricate they are likely to score this season will be of little concern to Rovers or Sean O'Driscoll.
Tweaking his tactics to combat United's aerial threat, the manager's decision was rewarded by a performance which, despite being far from flawless, suggests they are more than capable of retaining Championship status next term.
FAN'S VIEW: It would have been the save of the season
"I'm delighted," O'Driscoll said. "We matched them and tried to play as well.
"There was no way we wanted to come here, look pretty but end up getting beat by a long throw or a corner.
"We're not the biggest bunch around but we played our biggest team and the gamble paid off.
"I was pleased with our effort and organisation.
"The ball gets bombarded into your box here and so you've got to adapt and cope with that.
"But we didn't want to change the way we went about things."
While Rovers, who have now won five of their previous seven outings, basked in the glory of a victory O'Driscoll described as "the most satisfying of the season so far," Kevin Blackwell was left to reflect upon a display which most rank among his most disappointing.
United remain in fourth but the gap between themselves and second placed Reading has now grown to double figures.
"That's football," lamented Blackwell. “Just when you think everything in the garden is rosy something comes along to make it a mess.
“We’ve thrown an opportunity away and that’s very frustrating.
“It was our own fault and there’s really nothing more to say.”
Despite his hangdog expression, O’Driscoll’s side play football with a smile on their faces.
With the majority of the starting line-up which held Aston Villa to a draw in the FA Cup on Saturday again preferred here, including midfield lynchpin Brian Stock, Rovers enjoyed long periods of possession early on but, displaying a lack of penetration which still threatens to be their undoing, nearly an hour had passed when Paddy Kenny was forced to make his first save of note; albeit a futile attempt to prevent the visitors’ 51st minute winner.
Blackwell’s side, by contrast, are prepared to take the direct route if required and although they are not as pleasing on the eye as their opponents, a nine- match unbeaten run going into yesterday’s fixture proves they can be more effective.
Billy Sharp drilled wide following a neat 12th minute move involving Stephen Quinn and Danny Webber while the latter sent Neil Sullivan scampering across his six yard box after Greg Halford’s header flashed beyond the far post.
Sullivan denied Webber again when, having robbed Stock in front of the technical area before skipping past Richie Wellens, he shot straight at the former Leeds and Chelsea veteran on the stroke of half-time.
However, sticking religiously to their principles and displaying a wonderful work ethic off the ball, Rovers patience was rewarded when Kenny clawed away O’Connor’s header from Martin Woods’ cross and Morgan bundled into his own net during the ensuing melee.
United introduced debutant Jamie Wood in an effort to galvanise their troops.
The youngster, signed from League Two neighbours Chesterfield earlier this month, showed glimpses of the talent which persuaded Blackwell to spend a portion of his transfer budget luring him away from Saltergate but Rovers, growing in stature and confidence as the evening progressed, were rarely troubled from then on until referee Alan Wiley waved away a late penalty appeal after Wellens tangled with Kyle Naughton.
Indeed John Spicer was unfortunate not to double their lead when his powerful attempt ricocheted off a defender.
“That was much more important than the cup,” O’Driscoll said.
“Getting a good result in that and then conceding three or four here would have been useless.
“We’re not fixated on the league but we do have a desire and a focus to put results on top of performances.”Manager's View
BLACKWELL'S VIEW: 'We were too one-dimensional. They sat behind the ball and we had to get it wider and quicker but we didn't. It's frustrating and it was our own fault. There really isn't anything more to say to be honest.'
O'DRISCOLL'S VIEW: 'I got accused of being grumpy and disrespecting the FA Cup after our game with Aston Villa on Saturday which was rubbish. But there was no point in getting a good result there and then coming here and getting beat three or four nil.'
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
