Sheff Utd 1-0 Wigan: Ndiaye’s early goal keeps Blades on course for promotion

A first-half goal from Iliman Ndiaye gave Sheffield United a crucial 1-0 win against Wigan in the Championship.

The victory moved the Blades eight points clear of third-placed Luton and nine ahead of Middlesbrough, who travel to leaders Burnley in Good Friday’s late game.

Ndiaye’s eighth-minute strike settled a game full of goalmouth action at Bramall Lane which ended with Wigan still rooted to the bottom of the Championship table with just six games remaining to rescue their season.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom made two changes to the team that won 1-0 at Norwich, with Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp joining the starting XI.

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney made just the one switch from the home victory against QPR, with Thelo Aasgaard coming in for the injured Danel Sinani.

The home side were in control early on and quickly took the lead. James McAtee ran at the Wigan defence and squared across the box for Ndiaye to tap in at the back post.

Captain Sharp would have made it two on the half volley if not for an excellent point blank save by Ben Amos.

McAtee then found himself through on goal but Wigan skipper Tendayi Darikwa came steaming in at the last moment and did brilliantly to stop him from pulling the trigger.

Ndiaye deserved a second after his mazy run but midfielder James McClean was there to block his effort off the line.

In the second half, the Latics nearly levelled the scores but Aasgaard’s header was met by a top reaction save from Wes Foderingham.

Callum Lang may have done better with his header from Max Power’s corner and Ashley Fletcher then nodded over with a quarter of an hour to play as the away side looked to pile on the pressure.

United struggled to create any clear cut chances in the second period despite the introduction of top scorer Oliver McBurnie.

Fellow substitute John Fleck looked to have been pulled down in Wigan’s penalty area but referee Andy Davies waved away the claims.

Wigan brought on Will Keane and Josh Magennis in an attempt to find an equaliser but ultimately they could not find one as the Blades took another step towards promotion back to the Premier League.