Hulse fires Blades to victory

Rob Hulse scored his fifth goal of the season to give Sheffield United their third win in four Premiership matches with a 1-0 defeat over Wigan.

There was little drama or entertainment until the Blades, now up to 13th place, conjured a goal in the third minute of first-half injury-time.

Keith Gillespie's cross to the far post was marginally over-hit but Stephen Quinn collected the loose ball.

The left winger played a low ball into the six-yard box where Hulse had pulled away from marker Fitz Hall, allowing him the time and space to lift a shot into the roof of the net.

The goal forced Wigan boss Paul Jewell into a change at the interval, reverting to 4-4-2 with Henri Camara making way for right winger David Cotterill.

United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was finally tested in the 48th minute, making a flying save in turning aside a 20-yard half-volley from Denny Landzaat.

Ten minutes later Wigan should have been level as Kevin Kilbane robbed right-back Rob Kozluk and charged into the area, but his drive was blocked by an advancing Kenny.

On the hour referee Peter Walton appeared to point to the spot after Arjan de Zeeuw handled in the area but Wigan captain was furious, claiming Gillespie's cross had struck his thigh and Walton over-ruled his own decision after consulting his assistant Andy Halliday.

The Blades should still have had a second goal four minutes later when a thunderous Gillespie drive was parried by Kirkland and, as the ball dropped at the far post, Danny Webber was denied at close range by Emmerson Boyce.

Chris Morgan was thumped in the face by Lee McCulloch as they challenged for a corner, with the centre-back emerging after treatment with a cut underneath a swollen right eye.