An early David Clarkson goal has put Bristol Rovers 45 minutes away from causing an FA Cup upset at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.
Clarkson guided a clinical shot from the edge of the penalty area past Sheffield United goalkeeper George Long to offer Rovers a fifth-minute lead, which they have never looked likely to relinquish in an impressive first-half display against Danny Wilson's unbeaten League One promotion favourites.
The returning Derek Riordan (twice) and Fabian Broghammer, meanwhile, have both gone close to extending the advantage as part of an opening period performance that has gone some way to justifying Mark McGhee's surprise team selection and formation.
Midfielder Seanan Clucas was a shock inclusion to start what was his first game since August 21 at Barnet in a side that lined-up with an unfamiliar three-man defensive unit, which included midfielder Matt Lund.
Striker Riordan also started wide on the left, while Broghammer switched to the right to leave Tom Eaves to play up front on his own. Oliver Norburn, Eliot Richards and Wayne Brown were the unfortunate trio that paid for last weekend's lethargic defeat at the hands of Accrington Stanley by all dropping to the bench.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, arrived at the Memorial Stadium with an unbeaten record – but looked poor going forward in the opening period.
Sam Walker, who made a rare start in the Rovers goal in place of the ineligible Neil Etheridge, has been forced to make only one save when tipping a Tony McMahon shot around the post on the stroke of half-time. Wideman Ryan Flynn, however, fired shots wide on two occasions when well-placed to do much better.
Rovers (4-4-2): Walker, Smith, Kenneth, Paterson, L Brown; Lund, Clarkson, Clucas, Broghammer; Eaves, Riordan. Subs: Gough, Richards, Norburn, W Brown, Clarke, Lockyer, Hunter.
Sheffield United (4-4-2): Long; McMahon, Maguire, Collins, Hill; Flynn, McDonald, Doyle, Miller; Porter, Blackman. Subs: Willis, Westlake, McAllister, Cresswell, Cofie, Ironside, Williams.
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