Evans keeps Blades unbeaten
Last Updated: September 10, 2011 7:28pm
Evans: Equalised for the Blades
Sub Ched Evans preserved Sheffield United's unbeaten record with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Scunthorpe.
The home side, still looking for their first win of the season, were forced to play with a numerical disadvantage for over an hour after winger Andy Barcham was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Blades skipper Michael Doyle in the 25th minute.
But it was Scunthorpe who bossed the first half, and they should have been in front after just seven minutes when striker Chris Dagnall shot against the crossbar from close range with the goal at his mercy. However, Dagnall made amends in first-half stoppage time when he fired the Iron in front with a brilliant solo effort, taking on the Sheffield defence in a run from the halfway line before picking his spot past goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
Following a disappointing first half, the Blades came back strongly after the interval and were unlucky not to be on level terms when a shot from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing came back off a post. Richard Cresswell then missed two golden opportunities to bring his side back on level terms.
Scunthorpe defended in depth with good debuts from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone of Manchester United and centre-back Shane Duffy from Everton. But the Blades' pressure was finally rewarded with a 72nd-minute equaliser from Evans, who scored with an overhead kick after the home defence had failed to deal with a cross from full-back Matthew Lowton.
The Blades almost snatched a winner after 83 minutes when Doyle headed against the crossbar from a corner.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
