Paul Gallagher's late winner handed Sheffield United victory at Hartlepool.

Dave Kitson hit his second goal in as many games to open the scoring with a firm header from Tony McMahon's cross.

The hosts came back strongly and Antony Sweeney hit the bar, and they also went close twice after the break.

Steve Howard powered in an equaliser for his first goal of the season, but the Blades snatched victory at the death when Gallagher fired in Ryan Flynn's cross from 12 yards.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I think the conditions made it a very confrontational game - swirling wind, balls played long every two minutes.

"There's always some sort of confrontation between centre-backs and strikers and it made for a stop-start game at times.

"From our point of view, it's a terrific three points, but it was hard earned."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (3)

Hartlepool

  • 01 Flinders
  • 02 Austin
  • 18 Baldwin
  • 22 Holden
  • 29 Hartley
  • 07 Franks
  • 11 Monkhouse
  • 15 Sweeney
  • 20 Murray
  • 10 Poole (James - 72' )
  • 39 Howard

Substitutes

  • 31 McHugh
  • 05 Collins
  • 06 Horwood
  • 03 Humphreys
  • 19 Richards
  • 24 Lynch
  • 33 James

Sheffield Utd

  • 01 Howard
  • 05 Maguire Booked
  • 06 Hill
  • 15 Collins
  • 29 McMahon Booked
  • 07 Flynn
  • 08 Doyle Booked
  • 11 McDonald
  • 23 Gallagher Booked
  • 10 Blackman (Cofie - 61' )
  • 14 Kitson (Cresswell - 81' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Long
  • 02 Westlake
  • 30 Williams
  • 16 McAllister
  • 09 Porter
  • 17 Cresswell
  • 19 Cofie
Ref: Mark Heywood
Att: 4,027

Match Stats

Shots

10 8

On target

5 4

Corners

5 6

Fouls

8 10

Live Text Commentary

94:18 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +2:41

Paul Gallagher decides to take the corner short.

88:45

Assist on the goal came from Ryan Flynn.

88:45 Goal scored

Goal - Paul Gallagher - Hartlepool 1 - 2 Sheff Utd A goal is scored by Paul Gallagher from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hartlepool 1-2 Sheff Utd.

87:37

The ball is crossed by Matthew Hill.

86:27

Corner taken right-footed by Paul Gallagher to the near post, Jack Baldwin makes a clearance.

85:46

Corner taken by Tony McMahon from the right by-line, Paul Murray manages to make a clearance.

83:10

Free kick crossed right-footed by Jonathan Franks, Neill Collins makes a clearance.

83:10 Booking

Booking Tony McMahon goes into the referee's book.

82:49

Unfair challenge on Darren Holden by Tony McMahon results in a free kick.

81:17

Direct free kick taken by Jonathan Franks.

81:17 Booking

Booking Michael Doyle receives a yellow card.

80:00

Steve Howard fouled by Michael Doyle, the ref awards a free kick.

80:00 Substitution

Substitution Richard Cresswell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Dave Kitson.

80:00

The ball is delivered by Ryan Flynn, John Cofie has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

78:28

Neil Austin takes the free kick.

78:28 Booking

Booking Paul Gallagher goes into the referee's book.

78:21

Unfair challenge on Steve Howard by Harry Maguire results in a free kick.

77:12

Assist by Jonathan Franks.

77:12 Goal scored

Goal - Steve Howard - Hartlepool 1 - 1 Sheff Utd Steve Howard scores a headed goal from close in. Hartlepool 1-1 Sheff Utd.

76:11

Shot from 25 yards from Tony McMahon. Save by Scott Flinders.

75:22

A cross is delivered by Luke James, Harry Maguire makes a clearance.

73:21

John Cofie delivers the ball, Scott Flinders makes a comfortable save.

71:50 Substitution

Substitution James Poole leaves the field to be replaced by Luke James.

70:27

James Poole takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Mark Howard.

69:49

Foul by James Poole on Harry Maguire, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Mark Howard.

67:36

Jonathan Franks takes the inswinging corner, Mark Howard makes a comfortable save.

64:39

Paul Gallagher has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

63:11

Harry Maguire challenges James Poole unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Holden takes the direct free kick.

60:59 Substitution

Substitution John Cofie is brought on as a substitute for Nick Blackman.

58:49

Darren Holden concedes a free kick for a foul on Dave Kitson. Tony McMahon takes the direct free kick.

56:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Poole by Kevin McDonald. Darren Holden takes the direct free kick.

55:20

Kevin McDonald fouled by Andy Monkhouse, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Howard takes the direct free kick.

54:19

Corner taken by Jonathan Franks.

54:01

James Poole takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Michael Doyle manages to make a clearance.

52:01

James Poole has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.

50:05

Nick Blackman produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the goal.

49:29

Jonathan Franks sends in a cross, clearance made by Harry Maguire.

48:58

Andy Monkhouse crosses the ball, clearance by Michael Doyle.

48:13

The referee blows for offside against Steve Howard. Harry Maguire takes the free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +1:05 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

44:27

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Monkhouse by Paul Gallagher. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Darren Holden from left wing, Neill Collins manages to make a clearance.

40:22

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tony McMahon on Andy Monkhouse. Strike comes in from Neil Austin from the free kick.

39:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Neil Austin by Ryan Flynn. Scott Flinders takes the direct free kick.

37:54

Paul Gallagher crosses the ball.

37:04

Outswinging corner taken by Paul Gallagher from the right by-line, clearance by Jack Baldwin.

34:09

Kevin McDonald takes a shot. Save by Scott Flinders.

33:57

The ball is crossed by Tony McMahon, clearance made by Neil Austin.

32:40

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jonathan Franks, Antony Sweeney takes a shot. Save made by Mark Howard.

31:36

Andy Monkhouse produces a drilled left-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

31:36

Effort from inside the area by Andy Monkhouse misses to the left of the target.

30:50

The ball is swung over by Andy Monkhouse, Antony Sweeney takes a shot. Save made by Mark Howard.

29:20

Steve Howard is adjudged to have handled the ball. Harry Maguire restarts play with the free kick.

26:53

Assist on the goal came from Tony McMahon.

26:53 Goal scored

Goal - Dave Kitson - Hartlepool 0 - 1 Sheff Utd Dave Kitson finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Hartlepool 0-1 Sheff Utd.

26:41

The ball is crossed by Paul Gallagher, clearance made by Jack Baldwin.

25:28

James Poole has an effort at goal. Save by Mark Howard.

25:28

Effort from 20 yards by James Poole. Save made by Mark Howard.

23:15

Matthew Hill sends in a cross, Scott Flinders makes a comfortable save.

22:40

Tony McMahon fouled by Andy Monkhouse, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Tony McMahon, clearance by Andy Monkhouse.

22:20

Kevin McDonald fouled by Paul Murray, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Doyle restarts play with the free kick.

22:04

Unfair challenge on Michael Doyle by Steve Howard results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Harry Maguire.

20:30

Foul by Dave Kitson on Jack Baldwin, free kick awarded. Scott Flinders takes the free kick.

19:03

Paul Murray crosses the ball, save by Mark Howard.

18:38

Corner from the right by-line taken by Jonathan Franks, Neill Collins makes a clearance.

17:49

Free kick crossed by Jonathan Franks, clearance by Dave Kitson.

17:49 Booking

Booking Booking for Harry Maguire.

17:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Harry Maguire on Antony Sweeney.

16:26

Corner taken right-footed by Jonathan Franks, save by Mark Howard.

14:55

The official flags Paul Gallagher offside. Free kick taken by Scott Flinders.

10:52

The ball is crossed by Andy Monkhouse.

9:52

Corner taken right-footed by Paul Gallagher to the near post, clearance by Steve Howard.

9:33

Corner taken by Paul Gallagher from the left by-line to the near post, Darren Holden makes a clearance.

9:17

The ball is swung over by Tony McMahon.

8:43

Foul by Peter Hartley on Nick Blackman, free kick awarded. Kevin McDonald takes the free kick.

7:05

Peter Hartley challenges Tony McMahon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Tony McMahon.

5:35

Tony McMahon produces a cross, Jack Baldwin makes a clearance. Dave Kitson has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

4:16

The ball is sent over by Ryan Flynn, Scott Flinders makes a save.

3:44

Shot by Steve Howard. Blocked by Neill Collins.

1:05

Tony McMahon delivers the ball, save by Scott Flinders.

1:05

The ball is sent over by Tony McMahon, save made by Scott Flinders.

0:13

Steve Howard is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Mark Howard.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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