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Carlton Morris is now up to 15 goals for the season for Luton, his best return in a single season.Carlton Morris grabbed his 15th goal of the season as Luton Town boosted their promotion push with a vital victory over faltering second-placed Sheffield United.
Morris found the net from close range to earn a third win in four games when he turned the ball in at the near post after some great work by Elijah Adebayo.
Luton are now within seven points of the second automatic Championship promotion place filled by the Blades, who lacked conviction and rarely threatened until a frantic finale.
Their display was typical of an inconsistent run that has now brought three defeats in their past five league matches, and has seen their lead over third-placed Middlesbrough whittled down to four points following Boro's win over Swansea City.
Sheffield United did up the tempo in the latter stages, with Oli McBurnie going close on three occasions and Hatters keeper Ethan Horvath making a great save from John Egan.
But the hosts ended an uninspiring match with just five attempts on target and rarely looked like claiming a seventh win in eight home league games.
A dull first half with little quality produced just one attempt on target, a tame Jayden Bogle header that was comfortably held by Horvath.
Thankfully, the second 45 minutes was a little more entertaining, although chances remained rare.
Luton, despite seeing Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu limp off injured early on, showed the solidity and unity that has seen them stay in the promotion picture thanks to a fine away unbeaten run which now stretches to seven games.
And they used all that defensive nous to protect their lead after Morris put them ahead, but were still left hanging on as the Blades piled forward in the closing stages.
Joint top scorer McBurnie wasted three decent opportunities with headers and American keeper Horvath made a fabulous point-blank save to keep out Egan's strike, while at the other end substitute Cauley Woodrow should have wrapped up the points when he went through on goal only to shoot wide.
The Hatters, who were unbeaten in their previous six away league matches, have now won 10 times away from home this season, a feat they had not previously managed before in either of the top two divisions.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 18Foderingham
- 12Egan
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 19RobinsonSubstituted forMcAteeat 70'minutes
- 20BogleBooked at 23mins
- 8Berge
- 16NorwoodSubstituted forDoyleat 70'minutes
- 4FleckSubstituted forSharpat 59'minutes
- 13LoweBooked at 90mins
- 29Ndiaye
- 9McBurnie
Substitutes
- 1Davies
- 2Baldock
- 6Basham
- 10Sharp
- 22Doyle
- 26Clark
- 28McAtee
Luton
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 34Horvath
- 32Osho
- 4Lockyer
- 29Bell
- 2Drameh
- 13Nakamba
- 17MpanzuSubstituted forBerryat 26'minutes
- 23OnyedinmaSubstituted forBradleyat 85'minutes
- 22Campbell
- 11Adebayo
- 9MorrisSubstituted forWoodrowat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Shea
- 5Bradley
- 8Berry
- 10Woodrow
- 12Lansbury
- 15Muskwe
- 25Taylor
Referee:Leigh Doughty
Attendance:28,006
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield United 0, Luton Town 1.
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 0, Luton Town 1.
Max Lowe (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Max Lowe (Sheffield United).
Allan Campbell (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James McAtee with a cross.
Attempt saved. John Egan (Sheffield United) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Amari'i Bell.
Attempt missed. Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Cody Drameh.
Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sander Berge with a cross.
Attempt missed. Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by John Egan.
Substitution, Luton Town. Sonny Bradley replaces Fred Onyedinma.
Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).
Luke Berry (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sander Berge with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Tommy Doyle (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Hand ball by Luke Berry (Luton Town).
Max Lowe (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town).
Foul by James McAtee (Sheffield United).
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