Scunthorpe United 3 - 2 Sheffield United

rss feed for news items | England News

Saturday Sep 01 2007 03:00

Matt Sparrow snatched a last gasp winner for Scunthorpe in a dramatic finish to a pulsating encounter against Sheffield United.

It came after substitute Daniel Webber looked like salvaging the Blades a point with two goals in four minutes late in the game.

But Scunthorpe deservedly got their reward for a battling performance that cut the big-spending Baldes down to size.

The home side thought they had gone in front after 19 minutes when Martin Paterson steered an angle shot at goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, only to see it controversially flagged offside.

Sheffield's £2million summer signing, Billy Sharp, returning to the club where he scored 56 goals in two seasons, struggled to make an impact.

It was Scunthorpe who took the lead in the 37th minute when skipper Andy Crosby powered home a left-foot volley after a free-kick had been flicked on by Sparrow.

At the opposite end Sheffield went close with a stinging 20-yard drive from Chris Armstrong that was just a shade too high.

But Scunthorpe increased their lead in the 62nd minute when Paterson was put clear by substitute Jonathan Forte and raced into the box to tuck his shot past Kenny for his fourth goal in successive games.

Scunthorpe looked in complete control and Forte went close with a header.

Sheffield's fightback started in the 79th minute when the home defence could not clear a high ball into the box and Webber flicked a close-range header past goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Four minutes later Webber struck again when he fired home from close range after a good knock down into the box by striker James Beattie.

Suddenly it was Sheffield pressing forward strongly in search of a winner, but it was Scunthorpe who snatched it as the game entered stoppage time.Kevan Hurst lifted a high ball into the box which Forte nodded down and Sparrow forced his shot home from close range.

There was further drama when both teams finished with ten men, with Sheffield defender Derek Geary and Scunthorpe full-back Cliff Byrne both red-carded by referee Keith Stroud after going head-to-head following a challenge.

  • 90
    It's red. He's off. Cliff Byrne has been sent off.
  • 90
    That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.
  • 90
    That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.
  • 90
    The referee has booked Leigh Bromby.
  • 90
    Goal!! Matthew Sparrow scores for Scunthorpe.
  • 89
    It's red. He's off. Derek Geary has been sent off.
  • 84
    James Beattie is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 83
    Goal!! Sheff Utd have scored with Danny Webber putting it in the back of the net.
  • 79
    Goal!! Danny Webber scores for Sheff Utd.
  • 78
    The referee has booked Derek Geary.
  • 76
    Chris Armstrong is being taken off, Alan Quinn has come on in his place.
  • 76
    Billy Sharp is being taken off, Jonathan Stead has come on in his place.
  • 66
    Martin Paterson is replaced by Cleveland Taylor.
  • 63
    Sheff Utd are replacing Keith Gillespie with Danny Webber.
  • 61
    Goal!! Scunthorpe have scored with Martin Paterson putting it in the back of the net.
  • 61
    Paul Hayes is being taken off, Jonathan Forte has come on in his place.
  • 48
    The referee has booked Cliff Byrne.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.
  • 45
    The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
  • 37
    Goal!! Andrew Crosby scores for Scunthorpe.
  • 0
    It's 3pm on Saturday, September 1st, the match has kicked off.
  • 0
    Scunthorpe face Sheff Utd at 3pm on Saturday, September 1st.

Statistics

Scunthorpe United
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 9
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 16
Offsides 3
Corners 5

Sheffield United
Shots on target 9
Shots off target 6
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 18
Offsides 2
Corners 2

See Live Commentary