Sheffield United: Simon Moore makes Blades return as 10-man U23s lose to Millwall

Moore, who damaged his knee in a pre-season friendly at Rotherham United almost two months ago and lost his place to Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman, played 90 minutes for United’s U23s as they lost 1-0 to Millwall at Bramall Lane.

In front of the watching Blades boss Chris Wilder and his coaching staff, though, Moore made four top-quality saves against the Lions while taking a vital step on the road to full match fitness.

Included in a strong United team captained by Deadline Day signing Ben Heneghan and also featuring Samir Carruthers and Nathan Thomas, Moore’s first test of note came in the 14th minute when he denied Kris Twardek with a smart save at his near post.

He later raced off his line to deny Danny McNamara and, after the first half was goalless, parried well from Harry Donovan’s well-struck shot in the second.

But he could do little about Millwall’s winner, a slightly scuffed effort from Kristian Brymora that hit the inside of Moore’s right-hand post and crept over the line. Remarkably, Millwall hit the woodwork a further four times at Bramall Lane as they took control of the contest.

Earlier, United had started well with Thomas, operating at left wing-back, whipping in several dangerous crosses. Harvey Gilmour saw an effort cleared off the line by a visiting defender, and Jordan Hallam’s lob lacked conviction when he found himself through on goal. And United’s misery was complete in injury time, when substitute Regan Slater was sent off after a robust challenge on Millwall skipper Paul Rooney.

United enjoyed much of the possession in the first half and could have levelled with six minutes remaining when the ball broke to defender Sam Graham around eight yards out - but the defender's shot ended up in The Kop. Millwall substitute Isaac Olaofe then somehow smashed against the bar in the last minute, after a cut-back had taken Moore out of the game.

Sheffield United: Moore, Bennett (Greaves, 84), Graham, Heneghan (capt), Norrington-Davies, Thomas, Gilmour, Doherty (Cantrill, 66) Carruthers (Slater, 66), Hallam, Parkhouse. Not used: Ferguson, Dewhurst.

Millwall: King, McNamara, Mbulu, Rooney (capt), Chesmain, Donovan, Thompson, Brymora (Olaofe, 70), Twardek, Romeo, White. Not used: Sandford, Hanson, Wicks, Debrah.

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