Familiar face hands Blades a point

Date published: 30 December 2013


Sheffield Utd 1, Athletic 1

JOSE Baxter netted a superb equaliser as Sheffield United denied Athletic three points at Bramall Lane.

Athletic’s former talisman, who was given a good reception by the 1,088 fans who made the Boxing Day trip, lashed in a 30-yard free kick to earn Nigel Clough’s side a draw.

In the first half Athletic took an early lead through a real striker’s goal from Jonson Clarke-Harris. Adam Rooney, playing on the right flank, crossed after five minutes and Clarke-Harris stooped to direct his header home.

The striker also had a goal disallowed for offside as Athletic pressed and counter-attacked with purpose. But after Baxter’s intervention, Lee Johnson’s side was grateful to claim a point - especially as Baxter hit a late, left-footed shot that deflected off Genseric Kusunga and on to Mark Oxley’s right-hand post.

“It was a fantastic strike and sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say that,” said Johnson. “The boys did well to hang on when the momentum swung a bit.”