Ashley Lambell: JFH's scattergun approach to recruitment and team selection ultimately undermined his time at NTFC. Once he took on the supporters, there was only ever likely to be one winner.

Image source, PA

Cardiff's eight-game winning run will come to an end here unless they can produce some late drama in the final 10 minutes.

Anthony Pilkington and Yanic Wildschut both come on for Cardiff, with Kenneth Zohore and Junior Hoilett going off.

Cardiff are living dangerously! Sheffield United substitute Clayton Donaldson smashes a close-range effort against the post. Neil Etheridge was beaten.

Caroline Densley
BBC Radio Northampton sport

Nine games without a win now and it's not just the fact the Cobblers haven't been able to score goals - they've also got the worst defensive record in the league.

Today's result was made worse by the fact it was against their rivals Peterborough, and they had skipper and centre back Ash Taylor sent off.

I've been covering the Cobblers since November 2016 and it's the third manager the side have sacked now - but on the back of many lacklustre performances, I think Jimmy had to go.

Dean Austin, who has been JFH's number two, will be in caretaker charge but I'm pleased to see Jon Brady, who has been working with the youth set up, given a chance to assist Austin.

Clayton Donaldson comes on up front for the Blades now, replacing youngster David Brooks.

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Jake Wright replaces Richard Stearman for the hosts, with Stearman limping off with a knock.

Sheffield United keeper Simon Moore does well to deny Cardiff a corner as he first saves Callum Paterson's fizzing shot and then gets up quickly to scamper across and prevent the spinning ball from going out.

Alex Wells: Easter is supposed to be a time of miracles but the Cobblers staying up now would take the biscuit! A little too late for the shoe army!

Both sides are playing at a really high tempo now. It's lively stuff.

A second goal for the Blades would be a massive moment for them, if they can find one. This is a key phase of the game, where it could still go either way.

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'Oh, United, we love you' rings out around Bramall Lane.

The home side will move up to sixth if it stays like this. It's a huge game for Chris Wilder's men.

Things are hotting up on the field. Gary Madine is penalised for a foul and the former Sheffield Wednesday man is resoundingly booed by the home fans, as he complains to the referee.

At the other end, after a neat Blades counter, John Lundstram fires over the bar, from just inside the D.

It's a cracking game all of a sudden.

Moments later, Kenneth Zohore's power gets himself in to the box, but his well-struck close-range shot is palmed over by Blades keeper Simon Moore.

Aron Gunnarsson produces Cardiff's best effort of the game so far, beating two men down the right before fizzing a low shot across the face of goal, narrowly wide of the far post.

Chris Freeman: I have been supporting Northampton for years and this is probably the worst (most expensively assembled) squad we've ever had. Can't attack and can't defend. Writing has been on the wall for a while now.

Stew Lucas: JFH's tenure has been a disaster. Constantly tinkering with team, inept tactically and too stubborn to admit his failings. Given every chance by the board. Sadly it will probably have come too late to save our season

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge comes out bravely to stop David Brooks getting a shot away for the hosts, after superb work from John Fleck.

Cardiff have started the second half with some real purpose. They're bidding to win a ninth game in a row - which would be quite something - but will have to come from behind to achieve it, against this impressive Sheffield United side.

Tom Miller: Jimmy had the chance to build his own team with a good amount of money too! Failed miserably so it was a good move from the club albeit a few weeks too late!

Meanwhile, back at Bramall Lane, Gary Madine replaces Nathaniel Mendez-Laing for Cardiff, as Sheffield United get the second half under way.