Sheff Utd 2-0 Walsall

Sheffield United moved into an automatic-promotion spot with a nervous win over Walsall at Bramall Lane.

The Blades' fourth successive home victory without conceding a goal came courtesy of strikes from Paul Peschisolido and Nick Montgomery.

Peschisolido pounced in the 41st minute to put the Blades ahead when the Saddlers' keeper Jimmy Walsh fumbled a cross by Alan Wright to atone for a miss moments earlier when he screwed well wide from 10 yards out.

Then just after Walsall midfielder Darren Wrack had spurned an early second-half chance to level, Montgomery sealed the three points.

Walsall had the first chance, but Gary Birch fired over from 15 yards with just Alan Fettis to beat.

The home side burst into life Alan Wright sent in a teasing cross, only for Peter Ndlovu to guide his header wide.

The Blades almost went ahead in the 25th minute when Walker pulled off an acrobatic save to his right from Rob Kozluk's fierce 25-yard effort.

At the other end, Wrack was sent clear on the half-hour, but dragged his shot well wide following Simon Osborn's defence-splitting pass.

Soon after spurning a good chance, Peschisolido gave United the lead.

The Canadian forward took advantage of a fumble by the Walsall keeper to prod the ball into the net after 41 minutes.

Walsall were still very much in the game, though, and started the second-half brightly.

Former England midfielder Paul Merson was seeing more of the ball and it was from his cross that Wrack should have levelled in the 50th minute, but he somehow managed to glance his header when unmarked in the six-yard box.

Walsall were left to rue his poor finishing when Montgomery doubled Sheffield United's lead two minutes later.

Michael Tonge was the provider, pulling the ball back for provided the cutback to the edge of the box for Montgomery to slot home in the second game running.

In the closing stages Jack Lester, Montgomery and Peter Ndlovu all went close with long-range shots .

The win consolidated United's promotion challenge and allowed Neil Warnock's side to move above Norwich on goal difference into second place.

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Sheff Utd: Fettis, Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Page, Wright, Ndlovu, McCall, Montgomery, Tonge, Peschisolido, Lester.
Subs: Brown, Allison, Parkinson, Whitlow, Boussatta.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Vincent, Ritchie, Roper, Osborn, Corica, Samways, Merson, Wrack, Birch.
Subs: Aranalde, Leitao, Emblen, Dinning, Allaway.

Referee: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).