By Paul Holland
April 13 2002

Walsall secured their First Division status with only their third away win of the season as Sheffield United stumbled to defeat at Bramall Lane. Striker Jorge Leitao struck on the stroke of half-time to seal the three points, although the Saddlers were fortunate to see Laurent D'Jaffo's shot hit the woodwork shortly after the interval.

Colin Lee's side struggled throughout the match, which held more significance for the relegation-threatened visitors, but their luck held as Robert Page also crashed the ball off the frame of the goal 10 minutes from time.

Walsall's attack struggled to get going in a scrappy opening period and United were first to threaten with a dangerous corner from midfielder Michael Tonge which was punched clear under pressure by goalkeeper James Walker.

And the Blades came within inches of opening the scoring with 15 minutes gone.

Another excellent corner from Tonge found Shaun Murphy unmarked and the defender rose to crash a header just over the bar with Walker beaten.

But the visitors broke to the other end immediately and Fitzroy Simpson tested keeper Simon Tracey with a stinging effort from 20 yards.

Simpson then threatened again when he was left unmarked to connect with Darren Wrack's free-kick but he was unable to keep his powerful header down.

Neither side looked likely to break the deadlock although striker Peter Ndlovu crashed a wild shot over the bar before United's Steve Lovell pulled the ball wide of the post from a good position.

But two minutes before half-time Lee's men gave their survival hopes a massive lift when Zigor Aranalde's cross was turned into the net from close range by forward Jorge Leitao.

D'Jaffo lifted a stunned Bramall Lane just after the break with a shot from 20 yards which beat Walker but came back off the woodwork although Tracey had to keep his side in the game with a good stop from Simpson on 52 minutes.

Forward D'Jaffo could have done better when he mis-hit the ball after getting into a promising position while youngster Louis Killeen was denied an equaliser when his strike through a crowded penalty area rebounded to safety.

And Neil Warnock's side were desperately unlucky to see Page strike the woodwork with the final whistle approaching.


Teams:

Sheff Utd Tracey, Doane, Ullathorne, Page, Murphy, Tonge, Ndlovu (Smith 79), Javary (Montgomery 61), Jagielka, D'Jaffo, Lovell (Killeen 61).

Subs Not Used: Cryan, de Vogt.

Booked: Lovell.

Walsall Walker, Uhlenbeek, Aranalde, Carbon, Roper, O'Connor, Wrack, Corica, Simpson (Bennett 84), Leitao (Goodman 73), Matias.

Subs Not Used: Herivelto, Holdsworth, Harper.

Booked: Wrack.

Goals: Leitao 43.

Att: 20,520

Ref: K Hill (Royston).