|
Two changes were erected by Blackwell. Sun Jihai and Ian Bennett were replaced by Stephen Quinn and Paddy Kenny. Rovers created the first real opportunity of the game though, Brian Stock's speculative effort was booted away but they began to mount pressure on the Blades' backline.
Naysmith swung the ball into the box 10 minutes into the half. Darius Henderson latched onto the ball to send it towards the advanced Billy Sharp who had a chance to break the deadlock, but Sullivan made himself big and blocked.
The former Scunthorpe front man had another opportunity to put United in front, but he struck wide of the post. Donny who were deadened down a little for a short period of time were soon back to life when O'Connor skimmed Webber. He was looked to have been tripped over but the referee had nothing to do with it.
Halford could've put the Blades one nil up with an header at the back post, but he headed past the side netting. Quinn was penalised on the 35 minute mark when he fouled Wellens on the edge of the box, but Woods' free-kick fizzed over Kenny's crossbar.
Webber intercepted from his own half just before the 45 minutes were up and looked to have a peach of a chance to stick it past Sullivan. But he took his time, stuttered a little, and looped the ball into the palms of the goalkeeper down low.
A few boos could be heard at half time when an unappetising performance by the red and white wizards was shown. O'Connor blasted the ball towards goal five minutes after the restart. His effort was tipped away by Kenny only onto the stranded Chris Morgan. He was in two minds and lost the ball only for O'Connor to give Donny a smash and grab goal early in the second period.
Billy Sharp was replaced by new signing Jamie Ward shortly after Rovers' goal went in. A few balls were chipped towards the box, but sadly for Blades fans, most of them didn't beat the first man or the ball nestled straight into the goalkeepers palms.
Ward robbed Lockwood to hurriedly fizz the ball towards goal, but Sullivan took no chances and tipped around the post. With United supporters starting to get inpatient, Blackwell decided to make two changes. Brian Howard and Lee Hendrie entered the field of play.
With 4 added minutes, Naughton made a late surge into the box, only to be brought to ground as he was sandwiched between two defenders, but despite penalty appeals, Wiley waved away.
Doncaster very nearly made it 2:0 and then 3:0. Firstly Spicer's deflected effort only just flew wide of the post, and then a minute later, Kenny was called upon again to tip the dipping the ball away from under his own crossbar.
But the Blades had to be defeated at some time, and all credit to Doncaster. There were booing from all home areas of the ground while celebrations and delight occurred in the away end with the travelling fans as Doncaster Rovers earned their first win at Bramall Lane ever! The final score from Bramall Lane is Sheffield United 0:1 Doncaster Rovers.