Blades end 44-year wait with 1-0 win over Wrexham

Sheffield United beat Wrexham 1-0 in a Championship match at Bramall Lane. The result was the first league meeting between the two sides to end in a win for either team since October 1982. The match had only five shots on target, and most of them came from the Blades' players.

Ben Brereton Diaz scored the winner, turning in the rebound after Jordan Ayew's shot was saved. It was his third goal in three matches against Wrexham. Last season, while playing on loan for Derby, he had also scored twice against this opponent. Romelle Donovan, on loan from Brentford, played an important role in organising the attack.

The home side appealed for a penalty in the first half, when Dominic Hyam fouled Harrison Burrows inside the box, but the referee played on.

Wrexham brought on Sam Smith at half-time and looked more lively in the second half, but they managed only one shot on target until the 96th minute. The visitors have now gone five away matches in a row without a win. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in eight matches, since a goalless draw with Swansea on 5 September. It is the first time this has happened since 2007.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson did not hide his frustration after the match. He said his team had not shown the Wrexham spirit that comes from trying everything against opponents, which he had hoped to see. Sheffield United moved up to 10th, one point off the play-off places. Wrexham remain 17th and face Middlesbrough and Wolves in the next eight days. Both matches will be played at home.