Murphy seals Blades derby win
Jamie Murphy's stunning 65th-minute strike settled a pulsating local derby 1-0 in favour of 10-man Sheffield United.
United goalkeeper Mark Howard had produced a brilliant penalty save to deny Harry Forrester three minutes earlier after the Blades' on-loan defender Paddy McCarthy had been sent off for bringing down James Coppinger.
The Blades just about deserved their victory for playing the slicker football and showing great defensive resilience in a hard-fought match.
United dominated the early exchanges before Rovers got into their stride and began to look the more threatening side with Coppinger having a fierce angled shot punched away by Howard in the 17th minute.
The visitors finished the first half stronger with Jose Baxter and substitute Michael Doyle both going close.
McCarthy's red card came in the 62nd minute, but Forrester's well-struck spot kick was superbly palmed away by Howard and Murphy's superb strike broke the home fans' hearts three minutes later.
Doncaster battled hard for an equaliser in the closing stages with Kyle Bennett hitting the post, but United held out for a well-deserved victory.
Source: PA
