Michael Brown struck with just 10 minutes to book Sheffield United's FA Cup
fourth round berth after dominating their clash with Nottingham Forest at
Bramall Lane.
Brown received the ball just outside the area and fired an unstoppable shot
past Forest goalkeeper Darren Ward.
The home side dominated for long periods and spurned a number of chances
before Brown struck.
Ward almost gifted United an early goal when his weak kick went straight to
Brown but the midfielder's chip just cleared the crossbar as the goalkeeper
scrambled back to his goal.
Brown then had a shot saved by Ward after Robert Page's free-kick had been
headed down by Carl Asaba.
From the resulting corner, Asaba headed just over and Brown fired a shot wide
as United piled on the pressure.
As the half drew to a close, Asaba headed off target from Paul Devlin's
free-kick.
Early in the second half, Asaba headed goalwards but his effort lacked power
and Ward gathered comfortably.
Devlin's surging run into the right-hand side of the penalty area split open
the Forest defence and the winger squared to Peter Ndlovu whose shot was saved
by Ward with his legs.
Forest had their first clear-cut chance of the match early in the second half
when Jim Brennan's cross was met by Stern John who headed just over.
Asaba went close with two headers and Ndlovu had a shot blocked while at the
other end John headed over from Nicky Summerbee's free-kick.
Devlin had an effort deflected wide and Asaba headed straight at Ward as
United threw men forward in search of the elusive opening goal.
Ndlovu was brought down by Jon Olav Hjelde on the edge of the box following a
surging run and Asaba tested Ward with a shot.
With a replay at the City Ground looking increasingly likely, United finally
found their shooting boots with Brown scoring the decisive goal.
Teams:
Sheff Utd: de Vogt, Uhlenbeek, Curle, Page, Ullathorne,
Devlin (Sandford 90), Brown, Tonge, Ford, Asaba (D'Jaffo 90),
Ndlovu.
Subs Not Used: Jagielka, Montgomery, Tracey.
Booked: Ullathorne, Uhlenbeek, Curle.
Goals: Brown 80.
Nottm Forest: Ward, Vaughan, Hjelde, Scimeca, Brennan,
Summerbee, Williams, Jenas (Johnson 87), Prutton, Lester, John.
Subs Not Used: Gray, Thompson, Bopp, Roche.
Booked: Brennan, Prutton, Hjelde.
Att: 14,696
Ref: A Hall (Birmingham).
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