Latics well beaten at Bramall Lane

CROSSBAR . . . Curtis Main went close for Athletic.

SHEFF UTD 3, ATHLETIC 0

See the longer match report with pictures.

FIRST-HALF goals from John Brayford and Ryan Flynn and a third by Billy Sharp near the end put paid to Athletic's seven-match unbeaten run at Bramall Lane.

Manager John Sheridan took the decision to rest captain Liam Kelly, in order to save him from a possible suspension.

But his side started badly and failed to recover.

The opening goal was a slack one from Athletic's perspective. Twice the ball was given away cheaply and after Matt Done's cross from the left had caused panic, Ben Whiteman laid off for Brayford to hit a neat first-time shot across and beyond Joel Coleman after 10 minutes.

Coleman was down sharply to hold on to a Che Adams effort shortly before Flynn was played in from deep, exposing a hole in the heart of the defence to scamper into the box and around Coleman before firing into an unguarded goal on 21 minutes.

Flynn also fired over as the Blades poured forward and towards the end of the first half, Done's cross-shot was almost turned in by Sharp.

Athletic improved in the second half and twice went close through substitute Curtis Main.

First, after being played in by Matt Palmer his angled drive was well turned aside by George Long.

Then, he turned onto his left foot and hammered a 30-yard drive which crashed down off the underside of the crossbar with Long beaten.

It wasn't enough, though, and Sharp's neat near-post finish on 77 minutes ended any doubt over the result.