Blackwell hails Blades determination

29 December 2009 09:04
Ward spared United's blushes with a late winner at Bramall Lane after Preston had appeared set to claim a point following a desperate rearguard action against Blackwell's side.[LNB]But Ward kept United's hope of promotion alive with an opportunist set-piece at the death.[LNB]They flattered to deceive at times, particularly after the interval, but Blackwell applauded their single-mindedness and determination.[LNB]"I thought it was going to end in frustration," he said. "But we got the result that we deserved.[LNB]"You have to win football matches in lots of different ways and we did that.[LNB]"We played some terrific stuff at times, some scrappy stuff and some ugly stuff. But we got there and rightly so."[LNB]Blackwell added: "Jamie's free-kick is something we work on in training so it was good to see that pay off.[LNB]"We ask the lads to put the ball in a certain position because it's horrible for the goalie to come (out). Then, if it's on target, there's a great chance that it will go in. And it did."[LNB]United, who climbed to seventh in the table, dominated in terms of territory and possession but failed to put Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan under any real pressure during a tepid, low-key encounter.[LNB]Just seven months ago, these two teams contested a pulsating play-off semi-final but on this evidence appear unlikely to trouble the Championship's top six next May.[LNB]Ward saw a speculative effort blocked by Neill Collins as United seized control of the opening exchanges while Henri Camara, making only the second start of his Bramall Lane career, dragged wide after a smart turn on the edge of the box.[LNB]Even referee Trevor Kettle had seen enough and, after half an hour, limped off with a hamstring strain.[LNB]Things did not get any better until Ward finally made United's dominance pay four minutes from time.[LNB]Sean St Ledger, making his first appearance for Preston since returning to Lancashire following an unhappy spell at Middlesbrough, capped a superb individual display by scrambling Richard Cresswell's header off the line midway through the second half.[LNB]But St Ledger's efforts proved in vain when Ward curled a free-kick over Lonergan and inside the far post to ensure United's persistence received its reward.[LNB]Preston manager Alan Irvine said: "I thought we had earned something from that.[LNB]"We looked comfortable towards the end and, if anything, seemed the more likely to go on and do something.[LNB]"It was a terrific delivery from Ward to score but my lads are adamant that it wasn't a free-kick in the first place.[LNB]"We knew we had to stand up to United because this is a very difficult ground to come to.[LNB]"The one thing we could have done is use the ball much better."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk