Bristol City 0-1 Sheffield United - Iliman Ndiaye goal enough to give Blades narrow win at Ashton Gate

Iliman Ndiaye's eighth goal of the season put Sheffield United in front at Ashton Gate

Iliman Ndiaye's header shortly after half-time was enough to hand Sheffield United victory at Bristol City.

Ndiaye's eighth goal of the season keeps the Blades third in the Championship.

They were perhaps fortunate as City struck the bar and a post but lost for a ninth time this season.

A frustrating night for the hosts was made worse in stoppage time as George Tanner was sent off for a lunge on James McAtee.

McAtee provided the cross for the only goal of the game came as his clipped ball from the right found Billy Sharp, who got between two defenders to flick a header on and Ndiaye had a simple task to nod past City goalkeeper Max O'Leary from three yards out.

But there was precious little other threat on goal for United, who were certainly second best in the opening half.

City twice came close as Tanner found Andreas Weimann at the top of the area and his curling shot struck the bar.

Alex Scott then mazed his way into space and forced a good save from Wes Foderingham in the Blades goal.

The home side came close again in the second half as Tanner struck the right-hand post with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Antoine Semenyo also turned and fizzed a shot just past the post but it wasn't City's night.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"We've been beaten because we can't keep a clean sheet in a game that we should do.

"I don't really remember them having any chances in the game if I'm honest and yet we get beaten 1-0 by a really poor goal.

"It's a night where we're really frustrated because we've been beaten and we've had some really good chances."

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I'm delighted with the win and the manner of the win because I've never won like that since I've been here. I think the reason was our experience came to the fore in how we defended our box.

"Nigel [Pearson] will be in there feeling how I did after we got beat by QPR at home - that's how crazy football is at times.

"The margins are so tight in this league - no-one's going to be up there without getting those moments.

"It's the points that's going to get us up the league not the performances."