Sheffield United began the 2015/16 season with an awful 4-0 defeat at Gillingham, but after making seven changes the Blades were victorious at Morecambe in the League Cup on Tuesday night but only just.
An injury-time header from substitute Neill Collins earned Sheffield United a 1-0 victory over their League Two opponents in the Capital One Cup first round. Collins rose superbly to head home James Wallace's left wing corner from close range to give Nigel Adkins his first win as the Blades' boss in the second minute of time added on.
United had had the better of the second half with substitute Che Adams forcing two superb saves from Morecambe keeper Barry Roche before Connor Sammon and Marc McNulty both went close. Morecambe proved tough opponents and went closest to scoring in the first half when Lee Molyneux's 35-yard free kick beat the United wall but came back off the foot of the post.
The Shrimps had other chances with Mark Howard making a fine save to tip away Jamie Devitt's long-range effort and Alex Kenyon headed just over from a corner. The home side's best chance of the second period came when Devitt was played in on goal but made a mess of his final ball and the chance went begging.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will be without Matt Done (collarbone), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (hamstring), Ryan Flynn (Achilles), Terry Kennedy (knee) and Jose Baxter (leg) who are all side-lined through injury for their first home match of the season.
Sheffield United vs. Chesterfield
Saturday, 15 August 2015 (Kick-Off: 3pm) - League One
Chesterfield found themselves claiming three vital first day points after they beat Barnsley by three goals to one despite being a goal down in the first five minutes. But despite a good opening day they crashed in the Capital One Cup at Carlisle United in extra-time...
A double by substitute Jabo Ibehre and a late strike by Kevin Osei enabled Carlisle to see off the challenge of League One Chesterfield 3-1 in extra-time in their Capital One Cup first-round clash. Ibehre looked to have won it for the Cumbrians in normal time but Mani Dieseruvwe levelled late on before being sent off. Ibehre and Osei struck in the second period of extra-time. Carlisle's goal came under an early siege as Dan Gardner rattled the woodwork with a low effort.
But as Carlisle settled it took a fine save by Spireites goalkeeper Tommy Lee to keep out a curling effort from Angelo Balanta to keep his side on level terms in the 37th minute. Twice more before the break Lee stood between Carlisle and the lead as he dealt with Danny Grainger free-kicks from outside the area. However, he could do nothing with the header by Ibehre which gave Carlisle a 75th-minute lead. The cross came from fellow sub Osei on the left enabling Ibehre to nod the ball downwards inside the goalkeeper's left-hand post from six yards.
Chesterfield sub Dieseruvwe lashed a shot past Mark Gillespie from 15 yards to level for the Spireites. But it was a mixed night for Dieseruvwe who saw red in the second minute of extra-time for a foul on Michael Raynes. Ibehre struck for the second time in the 107th minute, hammering a tremendous volley past the stranded Lee after a long ball in from the left and Osei clinched it with a solo goal right at the death.
The Spirites will be without Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, the former Sheffield Wednesday forward will miss tomorrow's local derby through suspension after he was dismissed during the defeat at Brunton Park on Tuesday night. Other than that former Sheffield United striker Dean Saunders has a fit side to choose from.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Chesterfield 0