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Triumph of substance over style - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Preston 0 Sheff Utd 0 A BIG fat zero for style.
Even Sean St Ledger, one of the game's main protagonists, admitted that had it taken place in his back garden then the curtains would have remained tighly drawn.
But if it was possible to award points for substance then Sheffield United, who remain fifth in the Championship table after breaking Preston North End's unblemished six-match record at home in the league, would have departed Deepdale with more than the one they secured for their troubles.
Indeed, only a contentious decision during the closing stages of the second half prevented them from returning home with all three.
Just 12 minutes remained when Stephen Quinn, United's flame-haired
midfielder, threaded the ball through a crowded penalty box and into the back of Andy Lonergan's net.
Gray day in Blades hunt
A flag from assistant referee Paul Kettlewell cut his celebrations short and provoked fury on the visiting bench despite their opponents claims that the goalkeeper had been impeded by a pair of offside players.
"It was disallowed for some obscure reason," Sam Ellis, United's assistant manager, said.
"I asked the linesman why but he told me to go away.
"I can only think he didn't have an explanation."
This might not be the most eye-catching result of United's season so far but, having crossed the Pennines with seemingly more casualties in tow than the cast of a B-movie horror flick, it does count as one of their most hard-fought.
Nick Montgomery and Gary Naysmith - whom the media were informed beforehand had definitely been ruled out - took their places in Kevin Blackwell's starting line-up after, Ellis stressed, signalling a willingness to put their bodies on the line for the cause.
Both emerged unscathed but what could turn out to be a valuable draw against one of their promotion rivals still came at a cost, with captain Chris Morgan hobbling off before the interval nursing a hamstring problem and Matthew Kilgallon, his fellow centre-half, also requiring treatment later on.
Morgan must now be regarded as a major doubt not only for tomorrow's trip to Southampton but also for Saturday's Steel City derby at Bramall Lane, unless, of course, United's medical staff can prescribe the same wonder treatments which saw his teammates declared fit.
"That goes to show the resilience of the squad," continued Ellis. "Monty and Gary made it clear they wanted to play and put themselves through it for the rest of the lads.
"We're stretched but the boys are always ready to do everything and anything we ask of them, which speaks volumes for their attitude and desire.
"That why anyone who comes in has to have the same qualities.
"The lads out there need help and they deserve a bit of help."
Blackwell and Ellis have until 5pm tonight to identify permanent solutions to United's numerical problems.
While a striker and an incisive winger would be welcome additions, should they remain elusive then, on the weekend's evidence, the coaching staff can console themselves with the knowledge the group at their disposal are prepared to roll up their sleeves and fight.
Preston, in sixth, enjoyed their fair share of chances, most notably when substitute Chris Brown inexplicably blasted over the crossbar following Quinn's disallowed effort.
But the lion's share fell to United who remain unbeaten on their travels since October.
"The clean sheet was a positive for us," Preston defender St Ledger admitted.
"It was a bad spectacle, but United do make it really difficult for you.
"They can throw it into the area from the halfway line and, to be honest, we didn't create much."
Had Brown hit the target then it would have been terribly harsh on United who, with Brian Howard and Kilgallon impressing, set out to frustrate and harass during the opening exchanges before adopting a more expansive approach after the break.
Richard Chaplow and Quinn traded shots before Morgan was forced to retire while Lonergan made a fine save to foil Howard who later tried his luck on the turn.
Jon Parkin, Preston's hulk of a forward, demonstrated his subtle side with a deft backheel following a corner but United responded when Danny Webber, released by Paddy Kenny's excellent distribution, was foiled by another fine Lonergan stop.
Quinn's attempt was wiped from the scoresheet with less than a quarter of an hour remaining and United, tempers boiling on the touchline, would have burst a gasket had Brown then not made a dreadful hash from close range.
"The boys didn't complain because we tell them not to have a go at referees," Ellis said.
"They're upset but we're also pleased because this is a difficult place to come to."
Ellis's View
We didn't complain about the offside goal because we tell the lads not to. That's my job!When I asked the linesman 'why?' he told me to go away, which is pretty typical. We're not going to argue but it's very difficult sometimes with their attitude.
Got a view? Add your comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
