Blades favourites for Wembley spot

SHEFFIELD UNITED will fancy their chances of reaching Wembley after Brian Howard’s strike secured a 1-1 draw at Preston in the first leg of their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final last night.

The Blades midfielder struck in clinical fashion just seconds into the second half to cancel out Sean St Ledger’s 21st-minute opener.

A fast and furious encounter produced few genuine goalscoring opportunities but United would have won had substitute Craig Beattie not spurned two golden opportunities in the second half.

Meanwhile Aaron Wilbraham’s opportunist strike midway through the first half ensured the MK Dons will go into the second leg of their League One play-off semi-final with Scunthorpe on an even keel.

The robust striker was in the right place at the right time to nod home a loose ball from a corner and claim his 17th goal of the season, cancelling out Martyn Woolford’s opener for the home side.