Sheff Utd 1 Walsall 0 - analysis and pictures

Saddlers fans face a test of faith after a sixth successive match came and went without victory at Bramall Lane last night.

And if ever Dean Smith's team deserved a show of solidarity it was today – the morning after a night when points proved elusive but pride flowed freely.

The standing ovation from a couple of hundred travelling fans spoke volumes for the efforts of their side, who battled with spirit and invention despite playing more than an hour with 10 men.

Such was the scale of the reaction to Jamie Paterson's 14th-minute error that got team-mate Dean Holden sent off, by the time the final whistle confirmed defeat Walsall had opened a rift between the Blades and their frustrated fans.

Danny Wilson's men remained unbeaten and retained a top-three place thanks to Nick Blackman's penalty but were booed from the field. Smith's men drew a blank and slipped below halfway yet were applauded.

It was that kind of night.

With Florent Cuvelier and Nicky Featherstone at the hub of their attacking efforts, the Saddlers played the better football. And Andy Butler and relative rookie Paul Downing underpinned a show of defensive organisation.

The Saddlers, unchanged from Saturday's draw with Crewe, were the first to try their luck when Cuvelier found space 25 yards out and tried a speculative shot.

The Belgian's right-footed dipping effort had Blades keeper George Long worried initially but it looped over.

But United were ahead on 14 minutes with the help of some suicidal play from the Saddlers. Paterson's horrid backpass found Dave Kitson in space in the box and, when Holden was forced into a desperate lunge that sent the Blades striker tumbling, referee Geoff Eltringham had little option but to point to the spot and send off the defender.

Blackman made no mistake, converting from 12 yards. Smith was forced to readjust with Downing replacing the unfortunate James Baxendale to return to a full quota of defenders.

The visitors struggled to get sufficient men forward to threaten Long's goal until the keeper made the intervention that enraged the Walsall bench. Grigg chased down an under-hit backpass and appeared to get there just ahead of Long, who the Saddlers striker was adamant pole-axed him with a high boot to the shin.

Referee Eltringham let the challenge go unpunished and Walsall were further enraged when the keeper made a fine save five minutes from half-time.

Cuvelier made a fantastic run down the Saddlers right and got the better of Marcus Williams and crossed for Paterson, who made a clean connection with a shot from 10 yards but saw it turned away instinctively by Long.

The Blades began the second half on the front foot and threatened to double their advantage when Tony McMahon drifted too easily away from Paterson. The full-back's 25-yard shot dipped just over.

But the Saddlers were presented with a half-chance at the other end when Michael Doyle's poor header found Cuvelier in the clear with the Belgian sending a dipping half-volley just wide.

The hosts began to find spaces, however, as the Saddlers were forced to press for an equaliser.

And Walsall full-back Andy Taylor had to make a crucial covering challenge to dispossess Doyle after the home skipper made a purposeful burst into the box.

Then home substitute Shaun Miller raced clear and drew a smart save from Karl Darlow.

The Saddlers continued to push with Ashley Hemmings and George Bowerman introduced from the bench.

And they managed to create a nervous atmosphere in the 15,744-strong crowd with Blades fans growing impatient for a second goal.

Smith even threw captain Andy Butler into a makeshift striker's role in the final minutes.

But it was to no avail.

By Nick Mashiter