Ace Billy Regains His Sharp-ness

Penalty settles scrappy match.

- Colin Henrys

BILLY Sharp rediscov-ered his scoring touchwith a late penalty to seal Sheffield United’s place in the FA Cup fifth round, but Blades boss Chris Wilder admitted it was a game which lacked quality.

Sharp’s first goal since November was the difference in an all-Championship tie which had otherwise produced few chances at either end.

But Wilder was pleased to see his side find a way to win in a scrappy game – something he believes has been missing this season.

“It wasn’t a classic game. It wasn’t a classic first half,” Wilder said. “We needed to lift our standards, be a little more aggressive and drive the game forwards more in the second half.

“We just edged a tight game – two teams that are very evenly matched in league position, in personnel and in terms of changes made as well.

“We’ve managed to find a way when not playing great to win a game of football, which has been a little bit of an Achilles heel.