Sheffield United snatched a lifeline in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest, as Sander Berge's stoppage-time header gave them a 2-1 deficit to take to the City Ground on Tuesday. The Blades, who hold the worst play-off record in English football with eight previous failures, looked dead and buried after goals from Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson put Forest in control.
Forest took the lead after just 10 minutes when Ben Osborn slipped, allowing Philip Zinckernagel a free shot that was saved by Wes Foderingham, but Colback fired in the rebound. Johnson doubled the lead in the second half, finishing off a counter-attack. However, Berge's late header from a corner changed the complexion of the tie.
United manager Paul Heckingbottom described the match as 'half-time', saying: 'Their players are coming off gutted and ours are coming off with a better chance. It's game on.' Forest boss Steve Cooper countered: 'We're only positive. The dressing room is only positive. We're looking forward to Tuesday.'
Forest could have scored five in the first half alone, with Ryan Yates and Johnson both missing free headers, and Foderingham making a double save to deny Sam Surridge and Johnson. The visitors will rue those missed chances as the tie remains finely poised.
