Missed chances proved costly for United's U18s as they slipped to a narrow home defeat against Derby County, despite dominating the game in testing conditions at Shirecliffe.

A late penalty decided the outcome in County's favour, despite the Blades, through Chappell and Slew in particular, running proceedings for large parts of the game as United did everything bar score.

In awful conditions, the hosts started strongly with Chappell and Brown coming close with long-range efforts.

The pressure continued throughout the first-half with Brown and Roe advancing from their full-back positions to create chances for Gregory, before Maguire headed over from a set-piece.

United then wasted two golden opportunities in quick succession, with Chappell and Slew, who is desperate for a break in front of goal, the guilty parties.

Williams made his return to action after surgery on a fractured cheekbone, replacing the industrious Murray, before Foster's cross shot tested the strength of the woodwork.

As the home side pressed on for that elusive goal they were caught out on the sucker punch in the 82nd minute. After failing to clear the loose ball Pomares brought down a Rams forward in the area to hand victory to the visitors.

Coach Kevin Fogg was understandably downbeat afterwards, but praised his players for their application and effort despite the single goal reversal:

"It was a commendable performance from the lads but equally as frustrating, given the fact we wasted so many good chances to win the game. In the end we have lost to a soft penalty and have been punished for not having an end product to our game."

Blades: Billard, Brown (Pomares 70), Roe, Wilkinson, Maguire, Darlow, Gregory, Murray (Williams 65), Slew (Ahmadi 80), Foster, Chappell.
Unused: Andrew, Lammy.