Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1

My piece from the Sunday paper

Tony McMahon sympathised with fall guy Aden Flint following United's first away win of the campaign.

Former Middlesborough right back McMahon whipped in a low 78th minute cross that hapless City central defender Flint sliced into his own net for two yards.

McMahon, 27, also gave credit to manager Nigel Clough and said:

"As a defender you hate those crosses because they are so difficult to deal with so I know how he must be feeling. On the other hand, the boss has been banging on at me to do it more often. Funnily enough, he told me just before the game that I was due to pick someone out. Well I didn't pick anyone from my team out, but we still got the right result."

And McMahon revealed that the three points was all he was expecting by way of thanks for his efforts. He joked:

"I don't think I'm going to get a bonus for the assist. In fact I'll be lucky to get a pat on the back, but that's not what it's all about for us. We have to play like that for the rest of the season - scrap and fight for everything as a team."

Clough took on the United job following Chris Morgan's dismissal last month and was pleased to see 1000 travelling Blades fans backing his team. He said:

"I though they were brilliant. To get that level of support when you haven't won away is fantastic."

Former Derby boss Clough has now won three out of five games since taking over from Chris Morgan last month and said:

"It was a proper, good solid away performance, the first clean sheet we've had for a while and the first away win of the season. I told the players they're going to have to fight and scrap for everything and that's going to be the priority for the next 28 games."

City were jeered off by the home faithful as the team slipped back into the drop zone and their five game unbeaten run came to an end. Head coach Sean O'Driscoll  said:

"The players are really frustrated. We have had some hard knocks to take this season and that ranks up there with any of them."

In the 89th minute City thought they had grabbed a last gasp equaliser, but central defender Karleigh Osborne fouled keeper George Long before nodding in.

And City's players were furious twenty minutes earlier when their appeals for a penalty were turned down.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's corner fell to Marvin Elliott and the midfielder's shot appeared to be blocked by the arm of central defender Harry Maguire before Sam Baldock lashed the loose ball wide from close in.

But frustrated O'Driscoll revealed:

"I spoke to the fourth official who told me the ball was just blasted at the player who just couldn't get his arm out of the way. I haven't seen it again so we'll have to trust him on that."

There were few chances as both teams looked to move away from the danger zone.


Both keepers shut out tame free kicks and nine minutes before the break Emmanuel-Thomas picked out co-striker Baldock, but the City skipper struck a shot against Long's feet rather than feeding unmarked winger Scott Wagstaff who had the goal at his mercy.