Half-Time Report: Jamie Murphy fires Sheffield United ahead

Jamie Murphy scored shortly before half time to give Sheffield United a 1-0 lead over Preston North End in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.

© Getty Images

The visitors looked the stronger of the two sides early on as Scott Laird tried to pick out the top corner with a curling effort from outside the box, while Kevin Davies was denied by the woodwork after rounding the keeper.

Mark Howard had to remain alert in the United goal as Preston continued to attack in the opening 20 minutes, with Paul Gallagher trying his luck from 20 yards out only for the keeper to make a comfortable save.

The Blades almost took the lead when a quick counter-attack caught Preston out against the run of play, but Mark McNulty's shot was deflected just wide.

Howard continued to keep the hosts in the game, denying Tom Clarke before tipping a looping header from Laird just over the crossbar.

Despite Preston's dominance, it was the home side who broke the deadlock shortly before the break when Murphy, who scored a brace at the weekend, found the target again, drilling the ball in low through a packed penalty box.

The winners of this match face the victors of the replay between Manchester United and Cambridge United in the next round.