It was another disappointing away day in the Midlands for United as another sub-standard performance saw the Blades lose to a Lewis Grabban goal in a poor game at the City Ground. Neither side created much all game and it seemed destined for a stalemate until one moment of quality saw Carvalho skip past Kieron Freeman and hit an angled cross that was deftly flicked in by Grabban. United did not have a significant effort on goal all game and Forest in the end saw them out relatively comfortably with a late scramble that ricocheted wide the closest they came. Sadly, given a real chance to extend their lead at the top of the table; United lacked the belief and performance they needed and now have been knocked off the top.

Faced with injuries and suspension; Wilder brought in Crainie and Coutts into the starting eleven and chose to keep McGoldrick on the bench with him being on four bookings. Duffy was still not considered fit enough to start. Forest were missing suspended Jack Colback but still had a side packed full of talent/high transfer fees and will have wanted a response to the defeat at Burton in the week.

United kicked away from their sold out away following towards the Trent End of the City Ground. United stated with a decent move and Norwood dragged his shot wide. Little did we know that would be one of United’s closest attempts to a goal all afternoon! Forest grew into the game and Lolley hit a half volley over before good work from Cash nearly led to a chance but Egan read the game well. The same man then got a good tackle in as Grabban tried to get around the back.

Both teams were giving the ball away and it was not a classic at all. The ball resembled a hot potato at times and United seemed to lack the fluidity they have shown for much of the season. Sharp won two free kicks with good hold up play and use of his body but they came to nothing. Freeman was slow to react and Egan had to get him out of trouble with another smart piece of defensive play. Forest were having more of the ball in midfield now and United were just not getting hold of it and the home side won a couple of corners but the Blades defended well.

Egan had a header down and wide from a corner before Norwood’s corner was flicked over the bar from Pantilimon before Robinson made Henderson have to scurry across to save at the other end. The half time whistle came soon after in a relatively even game that had lacked any real clear-cut chances at all.

The second half saw Forest start the better and Cash showed nimble feet to get in but was defended well by O’Connell. Stevens shot was well off target and then Sharp from United’s best move angled his head wide and over from a deep cross from the right. Grabban and then Carvalho showed neat touches to stretch United but Cranie and then Egan got back to make telling interceptions.

McGoldrick came on for Coutts in an attempt to give United more control of the ball and more of an attacking threat. It was a bit more open now and Lolley then got in but dragged his shot wide. Guedioura was becomingly increasingly influential as Forest started to control more of the ball but they were not creating that much and the goal came out of nothing.

Carvalho had caused one or two problems and skipped inside Freeman who should have done much better and then the midfielder hit a great cross-cum-shot that GRABBAN got the slightest of touches with his head and into the far corner. It was the one moment of quality in a really poor game and United were now chasing anything they could get from the game. Fleck tried to run at men but lost the ball and Henderson had to save a low shot as Lolley looked to put the game to bed.

McGoldrick at least was able to give United more of the ball after the goal with some neat touches as he slowed things down and brought others into play. Sadly, United were not testing the Forest goal at all and made a double change with Woodburn and Baldock coming on for Cranie and Freeman. Baldock drew a poor foul as he sprinted down the right but the set play was cleared. Soon after United did have a chance as the ball bounced around in the area after Egan’s header at the back post but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post inadvertently off Woodburn. Three minutes of stoppage time saw United win a late corner and up came Henderson but the ball was cleared the final whistle came immediately after this.