A lacklustre performance from United's second string culminated in them slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town in the totesport.com league.

Nathan Elder's strike early in the second-half decided the game as the Blades failed to come to life until the last thirty minutes in what were testing conditions in Shropshire.

Town started brightly and had a string of chances to take an early lead. Leslie set Riza up, before Elder headed wide from a Taylor centre. Riza was proving to be a constant threat and his run down the right set up Bright who fired just wide.

On a boggy pitch both teams struggled to find any real consistency in their passing and although the chances were going the way of the home side Spanish triallist Esteve rarely looked trouble in the Blades' goal.

As the first-half entered its latter stages, Bright and Elder again came close for the Shrews but despite a few moments of panic United's backline got through to the interval unscathed, ably marshalled by the experienced Fortune.

United pressed forward early in the second-half but were caught on the break and went behind in the 52nd minute. Riza powered his way through the Blades defence before teeing up ELDER who saw his deflected shot loop over Esteve and into the net.

The visitors responded immediately with former Spurs midfielder Kasim forcing Button into a smart save, before S-Latef and Slew failed to convert good opportunities after some good work by Treacy.

The introduction of Chappell had a positive affect on the Blades, with the young winger coming close with two efforts, before Roe stung the palms of Button.

In the final ten minutes both teams had chances to score. S-Latef and Slew peppered the Shrews goal, whilst Shrewsbury's Robinson hit the woodwork, before Esteve produced his best save of the game in the final minute.

Coach Mark Smith admitted his side didn't do enough to take anything from the game, but was full of praise for the impact Jordan Chappell had off the bench:

"We didn't get on the front foot and force the game really and although we upped the tempo in the second-half we still didn't create enough clear cut chances.

"One positive was how Chappell affected the game when he came on and he certainly deserves some credit for his performance."

Shrewsbury: Button, D.Taylor, Leslie, Richards, Hooman, Goldson, Riza, Simpson (Dix 70), Elder, Bright (Gray 70), Robinson.
Unused: Evans, Duyan, J.Taylor.

Blades: Esteve, O'Kane, Roe, Stewart, Maguire (Darlow 46), Fortune, Treacy (Ahmadi 72), Kasim, S-Latef (Chappell 66), Slew, Reid
Unused: Billard.