Sheffield United shook off a 44-year hoodoo by beating Wrexham 1-0 in the Championship, winning against the Welsh side in the league for the first time since October 1982.

It is a fixture that is turning in to one of the great EFL contests, but after their two Championship matches last term produced 11 goals, this one registered just five shots on target.

The majority were for the Blades, with Brentford loanee Romelle Donovan central to much of the good attacking play, although it was Ben Brereton Diaz who decided it.

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He turned home a saved effort from Jordan Ayew for his third goal in three appearances against Wrexham, having scored in both games against them for Derby last season.

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Sheffield United should have had a penalty soon after after when Dominic Hyam fouled Harrison Burrows inside the area. However, the referee waved away the claims.

Sam Smith was introduced for Wrexham at the break and the Welsh side looked brighter after, but still only mustered one shot on target - coming in the 96th minute - as they extended their winless away run to five games.

Phil Parkinson cut a disappointed figure after the game, telling Sky Sports: "We haven't got that kind of Wrexham feeling in our performances where everybody's against us, everybody wants to beat us, we've got to fight harder and we've done it on several occasions, but not enough. You've got to do it every week."

The win sees the Blades move to within a point of the play-off places in 10th ahead of the remaining weekend games.

Wrexham remain in 17th with difficult fixtures against Middlesbrough and Wolves over the next eight days, although both are at home.

Parkinson: We have to look at ourselves closely and be honest

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson to Sky Sports: "First half, we were second best all over the pitch. We've got to take a long look at ourselves for that because they were first to the ball, they were sharper, they closed down with more intent and as I always say to the lads, you know, I look at myself, but the performance in the first half was well below the standard.

"Coming to Bramall Lane, you've got to be ready for the intensity, being all over the pitch, winning your duels, your individual battles first and foremost to give you a foothold in the game.

"The second half was a lot better, but we're disappointed with that first 45 minutes because that wasn't how a Wrexham team plays or has played.

"We've got to turn up every week because it's a relentless division. Actually, you've got to turn up every week in any division and you've got to be ready.

"It's very easy in football to say 'oh the system, we should have done this', but let's look at ourselves first as individuals and could we have done better or were they just better than us? Were they just a better team than us or did they play in that first period with more hunger and desire? And we've got to look closely and be honest."

On the goal and if Anthony Patterson could have done better: "I honestly haven't looked at that back, but you can't criticise Patto for his performance tonight.

"He came and caught crosses, his handling was really good and sometimes a goalkeeper needs help in those situations, whether he could have partnered it around the post. I thought he put in a very solid performance."

Wilder: Players picked up from second half vs Derby

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder to Sky Sports: "The intent and approach was really good… I asked them to start the game as we finished it second half against Derby and they did. High up the pitch, got the press right.

"We understood that it was going to be a difficult second half. I've just said to the players, we're just a little bit loose on that first pass out.

"There was always going to be a reaction because they've won games of football for a long time and they're no mugs and they've got a real spirit about them. They had five or 10 minutes in the second half, we saw that out.

"We kept the ball and looked after the ball a little bit better then. They had nothing to lose, we had everything to lose. Sometimes you can have to defend and we did make a change late on. Michael [Cooper] has not had a lot to do in terms of saves."

On Ben Brereton Diaz: "I've known Ben for a long time. I know what his qualities are, I know what his character is like.

"I know where he started as a centre-forward in the early part of his career when he got his move to Blackburn. I've tracked his career right the way through. There's a lot of clubs in the division that were after him and delighted that he chose us.

"Not everybody hits the ground running. Not any player, whatever division they are, sometimes get themselves going but that'll do them no harm.

"I thought the performance of the two at the top of the pitch was really good, especially first half. They linked well, stretched well and the better team won the game of football."

Brereton Diaz: Good to get off the mark

Sheffield United goalscorer Ben Brereton Diaz to Sky Sports: "It's nice to get off the mark. The lads were brilliant today from start to finish. We put a good shift in and we need to build on that. We go into a good week and then the international break is coming.

"I knew that I scored a couple against them last year so I hoped I could get one tonight and get off the mark. It's brilliant."

On backing from Chris Wilder: "The gaffer is unbelievable. This is my third time with him at Sheffield United. I love it here. The lads are unreal. It's a great place to be, we just need to build and everyone stay together."

What the result means and next fixtures...

• Championship fixtures

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