Sheff Utd 2 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

First half goals from Chris Basham and Billy Sharp saw Nigel Adkins' side grab the points in an uninspiring game in Yorkshire.

Walsall entered the clash of the back of three straight victories and with a record that had seen them avoid defeat in their last seven meetings with the Blades.

But they failed to find the spark that has put them in the promotion race with this defeat and the loss to Swindon in November the only times they have lost on their travels in the league this campaign.

Boss Whitney sprung a selection surprise in naming his starting line-up with midfielder Reece Flanagan handed his first start since October.

There was also a debut at centre-back for Everton loanee Matt Pennington with James O'Connor remaining sidelined with a calf injury.

It meant Matt Preston and Jordy Hiwula were named amongst the substitutes as the Saddlers continued to operate in a 3-5-2 formation with Romaine Sawyers supporting Tom Bradshaw.

For the Blades, prolific forward Billy Sharp partnered Che Adams up front.

United entered the game knowing a defeat would all but end their hopes of gate-crashing the League One play-offs.

And with so much at stake for both sides, the opening 20 minutes passed without incident as the two teams cancelled each other out.

The match was proving a cagey encounter but it was the Blades who threatened first when a fine team move ended with Ryan Flynn slipping in Matt Done.

The wing-back looked to fire past Neil Etheridge from the corner of the six-yard-box but the Saddlers keeper stood tall to block his effort from point-blank range.

Suddenly the home side looked full of confidence and, after a sustained spell of pressure, they took the lead through the impressive Chris Basham.

Done delivered a wonderfully inviting cross with the Blades midfielder rising highest at the back post to powerfully plant a header into the roof of the net.

Walsall responded with Sam Mantom firing straight at George Long from 25-yards.

But Nigel Adkins' side were now in control and they quickly doubled their advantage with Sharp grabbing his 18th goal of the season.

Basham tricked his way past Rico Henry and delivered a teasing cross which was aimed towards Flynn.

But the ball found its way through to Sharp who controlled it on his chest before emphatically firing a volley into the corner of the net.

With the Bramall Lane crowd now fully behind their team, the Blades began piling forward as they went in search of a third to put the game to bed.

And they almost got it when Sharp danced into the box and cut the ball back to Adams but Paul Downing was on hand to expertly nip in with a crucial interception.

Undeterred, the hosts continued to press with Basham flashing a strike just wide of goal from 30-yards moments before the break.

Having watched his side been largely out played, Whitney made a change at the break with Hiwula introduced for Flanagan.

It was the Blades though who continued to look the more lively with Basham hitting a delightful volley from the edge of the box which whistled over the bar.

Slowly but surely the Saddlers began to get a foothold on the game and they came a whisker away from pulling a goal back in the 56th minute.

Andy Taylor's corner fell kindly for Bradshaw with the striker producing a smart turn to buy himself space.

But just as the Welshman looked to fire into the net, George Long raced off his line to expertly smoother at the forward's feet.

The Saddlers continued to huff and puff as the clock ticked past the 70 minute mark but without managing to truly threaten the Sheffield United goal.

Whitney responded with a double change as Milan Lalkovic and Anthony Forde came on for Taylor and Mantom.

But the spark which has been so evident in the Saddlers play this season continued to be missing in a game where neither side were creating chances.

Walsall continued to try and force the issue in the closing stages with Forde delivering a teasing free-kick which flicked off a Blades defender and just avoided Bradshaw at the back-post.

Debutant Pennington then headed Forde's corner over the bar In stoppage time, Bradshaw saw a header comfortably saved by Long following Pennington's cross.

And that proved to be the last meaningful action on what proved a disappointing day for Whitney's side.