Halford shows cutting edge for Blades

Sheffield United 1 Preston 0 (Sheff Utd win 2-1 on aggregate)

The tall midfielder, on a season-long loan from Sunderland, rose to steer David Cotterill’s cross into the top corner on the hour-mark to settle a typically nerve-jangling Coca-Cola Championship semi-final second leg against Preston at Bramall Lane.

Halford’s winner was deserved and Kevin Blackwell’s side now stand just one game away from a return to the Barclays Premier League, two years after they were controversially relegated.