Webber too sharp for Preston
By Ben Blackmore. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Sheffield United went joint-top of the Coca-Cola Championship thanks to a last-gasp winner from Danny Webber.
Webber stole in with just seconds left to put The Blades level on nine points with Reading at the top of the division.
United had to come from behind at Bramall Lane as Preston started the better of the two sides, taking the lead through Paul McKenna.
The midfielder struck a free kick from all of 30 yards to beat United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and silence the home crowd.
However, Neil Shipperley restored parity just before half time, converting from close range with an acrobatic overhead kick. The goal was no more than United deserved after being the more dominant of the two teams in the first half.
The second period began rather differently, with Preston on the offensive and going close through David Nugent and Danny Dichio.
Blades boss Neil Warnock threw on Keith Gillespie to regain the initiative, and the decision worked as United created a clutch of late chances.
Phil Jagielka saw his effort go over the bar whilst Jon Harley and Gillespie both wasted good chances put the hosts in front.
But with the game going into injury time, Webber finally managed to break the Preston resistance, stabbing home from close range after Gillespie's free kick.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Neil Shipperley
Paul McKenna
Danny Webber
