Sheffield United 3-1 Ipswich Town: Blades dent visitors’ promotion push

Both managers made wholesale changes from their midweek outings, with Chris Wilder making six alterations from the side that began the 1-0 loss at Southampton while McKenna made five from the 2-0 win over Bristol City.

In an open beginning both sides had chances, with Michael Cooper saving well from Sindre Egelli and Walton keeping out efforts from O’Hare and Gus Hamer.

Cooper made further saves from George Hirst and Sammie Szmodics as the away side looked to be getting on top but from a Town corner the home side took the lead.

Ben Mee hacked the ball clear, Clarke inadvertently directed the ball to Hamer and his expertly-weighted pass released O’Hare, who finished well under pressure for a eighth of the season.

That got the home fans up and they were delighted when Brooks made it two in time added on at the end of the half after Walton had parried efforts from both Bamford and Femi Seriki.

McKenna made a triple change 10 minutes into the second half and his side were back in the game five minutes later when Clarke hammered a penalty in off the post.

However, hopes of a comeback were soon dashed as Hamer got his second assist of the day with another excellent first-time ball and Bamford finished with aplomb.

Bamford, who was captaining the side for the first time after joining in November, then sullied his and the home side’s day with a red card after two quick bookings.

He will now miss their trip to promotion-chasing Millwall next Saturday, while Ipswich will look to get over this blip at home to out-of-sorts Preston on the same afternoon.