McNulty netted his 11th goal of the season whilst icon Brayford netted after Josh Lillis tumbled the ball into the net to hand the defender his first goal in a United shirt since his return in January. Jack O'Connell headed home late on to give the hosts a consolation.
Nigel Clough made three changes ahead of last night’s fixture with Matt Done being rested on the substitutes bench along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Terry Kennedy whilst Ryan Flynn and Marc McNulty started. Former winger Fabian Brandy made his debut for the hosts.
Rochdale started the game the brighter and within a minute had caused a scare as Henderson charged down Iain Turner's clearance but at the other end McNulty's chip almost put Paul Coutts in on goal. From a set-piece Vincenti headed over Rose's free-kick but after 21 minutes a piece of quality split the Dale in half as the Blades took the lead. Bob Harris threaded the ball down the left. His 40 yard ball cut through the defence for McNULTY to fire home on the angle.
A few minutes later Harris and Doyle combined to tee up Murphy but he fired wide. However Rochdale finished off the better side in the first half. Turner was on hand to prevent Henderson who flicked on Rose's free-kick and in another dangerous moment Brayford cleared off the line.
At the start of the second half Done was introduced for McNulty who had been on the receiving end of a terrible whack in the first 45 minutes. Chances for Rochdale early on saw former Barnsley forward Noble-Lazarus hit his effort wide and Rose struck a 30 yard free-kick deflect straight into Turner's hands. The Blades first chance brought a goal, even if brought on by Lilis 'butter fingers.' Neat play on the left saw Doyle spray the ball to BRAYFORD who ran and fired from 25 yards - Lillis half caught but the ball thumbed under him and into the net.
With little over 15 minutes remaining the hosts reduced the score-line. A set-piece was only half-cleared and when Henderson crossed the ball back in O'CONNELL was unmarked to head home. Rochadale failed to apply any pressure in the remaining minutes as the Blades sounded out a comfortable victory and returned to Sheffield with all three points.
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Vincenti (Bennett 68), Brandy (Bell 55), Hery, O'Connell, Rose, Logan (Noble-Lazarus 31), Kennedy, Henderson. Unused: Tanser, Musangu, Allen, Bunney.
Sheffield United: Turner, Harris, Brayford, Basham, Flynn (Freeman 71), Doyle, Murphy, McNulty (Done 45), Coutts (Reed 83), McEveley, Kennedy. Unused: Willis, Davies, Adams, Calvert-Lewin.