Sheffield United 1 Bolton 0

BOLTON went the way of most visitors to Bramhall Lane but manager Sam Allardyce was very disappointed.

Sheffield United clocked up their eighth home win of the season thanks to a goal nine minutes from time from veteran Lee Sandford. Allardyce felt his team had deserved at least a point but must have been concerned by the fact that Wanderers didn't really attack with purpose until they had fallen behind.

Michael Ricketts, on whom Bolton had been relying so much for goals, barely got a chance worthy of the name on an afternoon when goalmouth action was at a premium.

Indeed, Bolton forced Simon Tracey, the United goalkeeper, into only two saves worthy of the name.

It was ironic that it took a player more noted for his defending to settle matters, Sandford showing a cool head to grab the winner. Allardyce said: "We were the better of the two sides overall but our lack of sharpness in all areas was a disappointment. Up front we hardly troubled them at all."

The defeat, only Bolton's fourth of the season, means they now slip to fifth, 12 points adrift of leaders Fulham having played a game more.