Clough admits cup struggles

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough admitted it took a penalty miss from Plymouth to inspire the Blades into the FA Cup third round.

After Plymouth's Reuben Reid missed from the spot in the 48th minute, Jose Baxter scored two penalties with Marc McNulty adding a third to clinch a 3-0 win. Reid's penalty failure came after Jay McEveley's foul on Lewis Alessandra. Baxter opened the scoring with a 55th minute spot-kick after Ben Purrington's foul on McNulty and doubled the lead seven minutes later after Jamie Murphy was impeded by Peter Hartley. McNulty rounded off the scoring after meeting Florent Cuvelier's low cross with a near-post flick. Clough said: "It was not as resounding as it sounds. I thought we struggled away in the first half and the penalty miss for Plymouth at the start of the second half was probably the wake-up call we needed. "We've had such difficult games here over the last week or so and we were a little bit flat in the first half. "Once our goal went in, we saw some confidence returning. Confidence is a big thing here at home. After the first penalty went in, we played with a bit more freedom. "I think all three penalty decisions were spot on. It's nice to score three goals and we could have had a couple more as well. "We're going into the middle of December and we're still in both the major cups, which is unusual for a League One side. "I'd like a home draw but if not, one of the big lads away. We know from last season that it can cause problems with fixtures." Plymouth manager John Sheridan said: "I'm disappointed, obviously, to lose 3-0. I was pleased with the way we played in the first half. "They're a decent team and they keep possession of the ball well, but I thought we were dangerous on the break. I thought we coped with them really well in the first half. "When we got the penalty, that was the break we wanted. The penalty would have changed the game. If we had scored it would have been a different ball game. "They got the goals then it was a lot more difficult. After the second goal we didn't really get going. The reaction to the second goal was probably poor. "We didn't finish the game well but I can't fault their effort. I thought we gave the ball away too cheaply when we were in good possession. We've got to retain the ball for longer. "I don't like getting beat. Every game I play I want to win."