A first-half strike from Jose Baxter earned Sheffield United a slender 1-0 victory over Carlisle United in League One this evening.

United almost took the lead straight away when Jamie Murphy fired in a right-footed shot from a difficult angle, but it was kept out by a sprawling Jordan Pickford.

Stefan Scougall was next to threaten for the hosts, but he crashed his shot from the centre of the box straight at the Carlisle keeper, who held his ground in the centre of goal.

The hosts took the lead after 28 minutes when Baxter latched on to Conor Coady's pass to fire a shot from the centre of the box into the bottom corner.

The visitors sought to respond before half time, although Brad Potts could only guide his speculative effort wide of the post as United took their advantage into the break.

Murphy looked to increase Sheffield's lead after the interval when he sent in a long-range shot, though it was too tame to trouble Pickford.

David Amoo almost levelled things for Carlisle late on, but his header from the centre of the box landed straight in the keeper's palms.