Blackburn Rovers end the 2024-25 Championship season with a six-game unbeaten run
Blackburn Rovers missed out on a Championship play-off place following a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on the final day of the season.
Yuki Ohashi's goal five minutes after half-time had given Rovers the lead at Bramall Lane.
Anel Ahmedhodzic's equaliser nine minutes later meant Blackburn miss out on a chance of extending their season in the post-season shake up.
Blades finish their league campaign third on 90 points, following a two point deduction for defaulted transfer payments, while Rovers finish seventh on 66 points, two points outside the top-six.
Following a tight opening to the match, Blades striker Tom Cannon forced a save from Rovers keeper Balazs Toth with a snap shot from a tight angle.
Midway through the first half, the hosts should have taken the lead but after reaching Andre Brooks' superb inswinging delivery, Gus Hamer prodded over from just a couple of yards out with Toth stranded.
The Blades dominated the ball in the first half but Rovers almost took the lead when Callum Brittain's dangerous cross-shot was well tipped over his bar by Blades' back-up keeper Adam Davies – one of seven changes made by Chris Wilder from last Friday's win at Stoke.
Ryan Hedges started the move which led to Blackburn's goal at Bramall Lane
With Lancashire rivals Burnley and Preston both providing Blackburn a helping hand in their respective matches at the interval, Rovers knew a goal would take them into the top six.
It was the hosts that started the second half on the front foot, however, and Sydie Peck went close but his half volley was well held by Toth.
Five minutes into the second half, Blackburn winger Ryan Hedges picked out Brittain who found Ohashi unmarked in the middle and his left footed strike deflected past Davies off the leg of Rob Holding to send the Rovers fans into raptures as their side moved into sixth at the time.
Just nine minutes later, the Blades were level, as Holding's header across the face of the box was met by Ahmedhodzic who tapped over the line from close range.
With 10 minutes remaining, Tyrhys Dolan's swirling strike from range was well kept out by Davies while at the other end, Callum O'Hare teed up Cannon who fired over the bar from close range.
Going into injury-time, substitute Femi Seriki was forced off with an injury which meant the Blades had to see out the final stages with 10 men and putting the right-back's chances of making Thursday's play-off semi-final first-leg at Bristol City in doubt.
Five minutes into injury-time, substitute Emmanuel Dennis met a corner from Yuri Ribeiro but he was unable to direct his free header on target and with that Rovers' final chance of play-off football this season had gone.
Post-match reaction
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I thought the performance was a good performance. We knew it was an awkward one with Blackburn Rovers having something to play for so their approach would be on the front foot.
"Second half we were really positive when we went behind. I believe we deserved to win the game but the attitude, the approach to the game was great.
"The overall thing for me is two points per game. It's an incredible achievement in my opinion with the challenges we've had to overcome. The players have given everything for the shirt."
On Femi Seriki's injury:
"He's off to hospital so that's the disappointing aspect of today but we can't complain, our injury record has been absolutely outstanding."
Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"Again it was an outstanding performance. We knew how strong the opponent is. You have to first contain the attack, defend well, and at some point be brave on the ball.
"The game plan until we conceded was perfect. It was exactly what we expected but we conceded the goal too quickly. One bad decision and you get punished but I think the performance was right.
"At the end, we put every attacking player we have on the pitch, we played with only one midfield player to try to have that lucky punch.
"I take more positives today. For sure, we are disappointed to miss out on the play-offs but at least we built some momentum and we can keep on going for the next season."
On the future of Tyrhys Dolan:
"Tyrhys Dolan will be a player for example we will have to show patience [on] – it will be his decision [whether to stay at Blackburn].
"He has put himself in a position. It is a good position for him so we have to respect that.
"He knows the environment he has, he's got the love but at some point it depends on the offer he has."
