A play-off position is looking more likely for Sheffield United after beating both Barnsley (2-0) and Doncaster Rovers (3-2) in the past 7 days to claim six points and take a precious eight point gap over 7th in the table Rochale and surprise package Fleetwood Town where I am sure that maximum points tomorrow in Lancashire will see the Blades firmly in the top six for the third time in four years.
Sheffield United tightened their grip on a Sky Bet League One play-off position with a thrilling 3-2 win against Doncaster, whose own top-six ambitions suffered a near-fatal blow. The Blades put eight points between them and Rochdale in seventh place after Steven Davies hit a 71st-minute winner in a superb South Yorkshire derby which was lit up by two stunning goals by Doncaster's Kyle Bennett. It was Bennett's first that gave Rovers the lead in the 17th minute with a picture-book effort as he cut inside from the angle of the penalty area and whipped a delightful shot into the top corner. But their advantage was short-lived as the hosts levelled 12 minutes later thanks to Jose Baxter's emphatic penalty following Jamie McCombe's clumsy challenge on Matt Done.
The second half started in frantic fashion and Rovers twice could have restored their lead but Andy Butler mis-kicked at the far post with the goal gaping while James Coppinger's flicked effort from eight yards rattled the crossbar. Just a minute later the Blades rubbed salt into their visitors' wounds by going in front for the first time when Done flicked home Davies' cross from the left. There was no way that was going to be the end of the scoring and Doncaster levelled seven minutes later just before the hour with another screamer from Bennett, who this time arrowed an unstoppable drive from 25 yards straight into the top corner.
But United had the final say of an enthralling encounter when Davies superbly curled home from just inside the area to earn the points. Paul Dickov's men had chances to get back in it but Richie Wellens had an effort cleared off the line while they were denied a blatant penalty for handball late on, with defeat leaving them 10 points off the play-offs.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be sweating on the fitness of left full-back Bob Harris (groin) who was forced off injured during Tuesday night’s win over Rovers and was replaced by Jay McEveley. Meanwhile Jamie Murphy (back) and Terry Kennedy (groin) remain doubtful but Stefan Scougall (knee) is pushing for a re-start after returning from injury.
Oldham Athletic's dreams of making the top six have become almost impossible following a 2-0 defeat at Crawley Town on Easter Monday and with just five league fixtures remaining need to overcome a ten point gap to reach the play-offs. However they are without a victory since 24 March when they beat Lancashire rivals Rochdale by two goals to nil and with games against Chesterfield and Peterborough United remaining the Latics may still have a say on which teams make the play-offs or not!
Crawley boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation as first-half goals from Izale McLeod and Richard Wood secured them a comfortable 2-0 victory over Oldham. Oldham's young goalkeeper Joel Coleman had to go full length to push a goal-bound shot from Dean Morgan round the post before McLeod gave Crawley the lead in the 15th minute. The skipper rose to expertly head a cross from Gavin Tomlin into the top right-hand corner for his 20th goal of the season.
Central defender Wood, on loan from Rotherham, struck to double the advantage in the 34th minute by shooting home from close range after Lee Fowler had driven a free-kick through the wall. Former Crawley midfielder Mike Jones produced Oldham's best moment of the first half with a clever free-kick, which alert goalkeeper Brian Jensen pushed round the post. Jensen superbly tipped over a rasping shot from Rhys Turner shortly after the interval before Crawley midfielder Gavin Tomlin wasted a good opening after being set up by McLeod. Oldham struggled to impose themselves on the game and Jones had a 25-yard drive saved by Jensen midway through the second half.
Latics boss Dean Holden may have to form a starting line up with top goal scorer and former Blade Jonathan Forte, the 15 goal man sustained a knee injury against Bristol City on Good Friday and has been absent since. However Anthony Gerrard (calf) will face a late fitness test and George Elokobi (hamstring) has returned to training but unlikely to start.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Oldham Athletic 0 Sheffield United 1