Sheffield United 0 Bolton 1: Gary Madine strikes to earn Trotters first away win since August
Blades see their hopes of moving closer to the automatic promotion places in the Championship dented by shock home defeat as they squander chances to score
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BOLTON clinched their first away victory since August as they put a surprise dent in Sheffield United's promotion challenge.
Gary Madine's first-half goal was enough to destroy the Blades' hopes of breaking a record as three points would have taken them to their highest points tally ever in a calendar year.
United began to probe early on as Mark Duffy worked his way around Reece Burke in the Bolton defence. His cross found Billy Sharp in the area, but the chance came to nothing as he headed wide.
Former Sheffield Wednesday player Madine returned to the city haunt United fans after he broke the deadlock 21 minutes in.
A low cross was drilled through the United defence and onto the toes of the Bolton striker, who tucked away the close-range effort.
Blades manager Chris Wilder decided after 31 minutes it was time to switch things up, introducing George Baldock for Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Leon Clarke squandered a chance to level the scores for United when Duffy's through ball set him though but he could not divert the ball past Ben Alnwick, who rushed out to meet him.
Clarke came into the second half looking to turn things round sooner rather than later. The striker created numerous chances but struggled to find the back of the net.
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A great display of trickery from Madine on the left flank, touching the ball through the legs of a defender and surging into the box, ended when his shot went straight to the feet of the keeper.
United's best chance of the half glanced wide of the post off Jack O'Connell's head after Fleck's free-kick was whipped in.
United's second substitution of the day saw captain Sharp retire to the bench as Will Buckley, who missed the starting line-up due to concerns over his fitness, was introduced.
Bolton keeper Alnwick then produced a great save to deny the home side an equaliser on 66 minutes when he dived to beat away a fierce effort from Baldock.
And then the Blades were left holding their heads in stoppage time when Clarke somehow sent his effort over the bar from inside the six-yard box.