It was a typical Sheffield United performance which has been displayed in recent weeks, showing strength and unity in attack but at times a little lacklustre in defence. Mark Howard starred in goal for his 100th start as a Blade, and has apparently kept 40 clean sheets - sadly, he didn't add to his impressive tally against Rochdale. However the result was enough to overtake Rochdale and for now a 6th place spot with only five points dividing the Blades and new league leaders Walsall.
It was the hosts who started the game the brightest and within the first minute of the game had carved out their first shot on goal, all be it a tame one from Matt Done, his sweeping effort was handled easily by Lillis in the Dale goal. McDerrmott hit wide at the other end after he skipped past a double challenge from Coutts and Done and Mendez-Laing twice tried his luck at goal without any positive effect.
Following a move which included McEverley, Coutts and Sharp, Scougall was unable to finish after Done produced a low cross into the box. In a rare event Sharp charged down Lillis kick, bouncing off the strikers back but took full advantage in the use of his arms to recover the ball. Collins headed over the bar from the Blades first corner of the game and on 29 minutes the hosts took the lead. Jose Baxter produced a telling pass to ADAMS, he had space on the left to place the ball past the keeper.
Despite a one-goal advantage United were unable to march on as Rochdale made a tactical switch before gaining a soft yet stone-wall penalty to level the game eight minutes later. Inside the box, Mendez-Laing pushed the ball away with Done's late challenge taking his leg away, VINCENTI took charge to drill the ball home for his eighth goal of the season.
Not to be down beaten, it took just three minutes for the Blades to hit back with an answer, a long perfect cross delivered from across the field by Sharp found ADAMS who controlled before blasting past the keeper. Owing treatment required to both Scougall and Collins, six minutes of injury time was added onto the first half’s 45 minutes of play.
Nigel Adkins was forced into making changes at half-time with Scougall and McEverley being replaced by Harrison McGahey and Kieran Wallace with Basham taking the captains armband and moving into central-midfield.
Early in the second half, after starting well, the Blades saw a penalty claim turned away after Basham looked to have his shirt pulled in the box by Vinceniti after Coutts crossed whilst Lancashire was forced to clear after Done was caught up in a challenge with Lillis following Baxter's through ball. Freeman put himself on the line with a timed challenge on Mendez-Laing as the visitors remained a threat and Howard saved Noble-Lazarus' effort.
With 18 minutes remaining the leveller finally came, a free-kick wasn't cleared and Vincenti looked to sniff out his second of the game, his shot was saved by Howard but despite the best efforts of Wallace, ALESSANDRA bundled the ball home at the far post.
Again, it wasn't long before Rochdale's celebrations were short lived, the away supporters had barely finished chanting 'We Are Dale...' when Done's deflected effort spun out for a corner, much to the protest of Lillis who was seeking a goal kick. From Baxter's cross COLLINS jumped highest before heading the ball home at the far post in front of the Kop.
United were surging on having taken the lead and Adams was denied his hat-trick late on by Lillis as the Blades held on to claim the much needed victory ahead of a trip to Oldham Athletic the following weekend.
Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Coutts (Reed 73), Sharp, Baxter, Done, Collins, Scougall (McGahey 45), McEveley (K Wallace 45), Adams. Unused: Woolford, Sammon, Campbell-Ryce, Long.
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McNulty, Lancashire, Vincenti, Lund, Alessandra, McDermott (Noble-Lazarus 52), Mendez-Laing, Cannon (Allen 36), Kennedy (Tanser 69). Unused: Eastham, Barry-Murphy, Musangu, Bunney.