Crewe Alexandra 0 : 1 Sheffield United - Scougall sends Crewe back to bottom

Posted Sunday, October 26, 2014 by PA

Stefan Scougall's close-range finish earned Sheffield United their third consecutive win as they beat 10-man Crewe 1-0.

The Scot rifled in from close range in the 69th minute after being set up by Jamie Murphy.

Jose Baxter wasted the chance to seal victory for the Blades when his 79th-minute penalty, awarded for a trip on the striker by Adam Dugdale, was saved by Crewe goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

Crewe, who have dropped back to the bottom of the table after their run of three consecutive wins came to an end, finished the game with 10 men after defender George Ray was red carded for dissent with four minutes to go.

United should have been out of sight after the opening five minutes, but Baxter's close-range effort on the turn was blocked by Dugdale and Craig Alcock's unorthodox connection with a corner bounced on to the far post.

Crewe teenager George Cooper forced a fine save from Blades goalkeeper Mark Howard with a searing drive from 20 yards.

But Jamie Murphy conjured up the breakthrough for the visitors when he cut in from the left and set up Scougall for a left-footed finish from the edge of the six-yard box.

After Baxter's penalty miss, Blades substitute Mark McNulty also wasted a one-on-one after robbing Ray, who was then ordered off after directing some verbal abuse at referee Peter Bankes.