Sheffield United vs. Stevenage

Last updated : 12 May 2012 By @blades_mad1889

The Blades upheld a club record of never been beaten in a first leg play-offs having drawn 0-0 at the Lamex Stadium in a tense game, a draw suited the Blades going to a second leg at Bramall Lane but could have come home with a victory when substitute Richard Cresswell saw his late header cleared off the line.

Previously United have taken positive results in first leg games against; Ipswich Town in 1997 (drawn 1-1), Sunderland in 1998 (won 2-1), Nottingham Forest in 2003 (drawn 1-1) and lastly Preston North End in 2009 (drawn 1-1).

Following his straight red card at Exeter City, striker James Beattie will serve a four match suspension and will miss the play-offs unless a successful appeal is made. Having been sent-off earlier in the season at Charlton the former Rangers and Stoke City striker will serve more than the usual three match ban. He will miss the second leg against Stevenage and the final should United qualify as well as the opening day of next season.

Meanwhile fellow defenders Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) and Chris Morgan (knee) are both absent through injury whilst striker Will Hoskins is sidelined after an operation last weekend and Ched Evans is unavailable.

United made wholesale changes in the first leg with Chris Porter as a sole striker, he is likely to be joined by Richard Cresswell in the second with winger Ryan Flynn being demoted to the substitutes bench.

Stevenage qualified for the end of season play-offs after a last day victory over Bury, it was a comfortable victory which saw the hosts net three times but in the end only qualified for the top six after racking up a superior goal difference over Nott's County who were breathing down their necks.

The Boro, who have been beaten just once in seventeen games expect to name a full strength side having no injury concerns.

The opposition could field former Sheffield United striker Jordan Slew, 19 - who is currently on loan from Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers. Having signed professional terms with the Blades in August 2010 he made his way through the Academy and was part of the FA Youth Cup side which lost out to Manchester United in the final, he made his first team debut in a 1-0 defeat at home to Watford and scored his first goal at Preston (lost 1-3) with United unable to prevent themselves from relegation.

He left the Blades in late August 2011 in a transfer worth £1,000,000, joining the Ewood Park club after making 9 (+3) appearances in a red and white shirt and scored three goals.