Brereton Diaz decides it as Sheffield United end a 44-year wait against Wrexham

Sunday 1 November 2026 · By Zoe Kirkland

Sheffield United beat Wrexham 1–0 at Bramall Lane on Friday night, their first league win over the Welsh club since October 1982.

Ben Brereton Diaz scored the only goal after 30 minutes, turning in a saved effort from Jordan Ayew. It was the Chile forward’s first goal of the season, and he is in his third spell on loan from Southampton. Sky Sports picked out Brentford loanee Romelle Donovan for much of the good attacking play. Wrexham did not have a shot on target until the 96th minute, when Sam Smith’s header was saved by Michael Cooper.

The win moved United up to 10th, on 19 points, three behind eighth-placed West Ham.

Chris Wilder has some selection issues for Tuesday. Patrick Bamford took a knock to the shoulder when he scored the equaliser against Derby and failed a late fitness test, so Wilder had to use Ayew and Brereton Diaz up front. “It was a big bang that he took,” Wilder said, and there is “a chance for Tuesday”. Joe Rothwell tweaked his groin in the warm-up and dropped to the bench, Ryan One is out for a few weeks with a hamstring problem, and Liam Kitching is suspended after his fifth booking of the campaign, with Jamal Baptiste and Mark McGuinness competing to replace him.

Tuesday’s game is at Deepdale. Preston are bottom of the table with five points, so it is a chance to keep climbing. Kick-off is 19:45 GMT on Tuesday 3 November. After that comes Charlton away on Saturday 7 November (15:00 GMT).

Bramall Lane

Bramall Lane is the oldest professional football stadium still in use in the world, and it still feels like a proper football ground rather than a bowl. Capacity is just over 32,000. For visiting supporters the key fact is simple: you sit behind the west goal in the Bramall Lane Stand, usually the lower tier, looking down the pitch toward the Kop.

The four stands are easy to learn. Behind the opposite goal is the Kop on Shoreham Street, the biggest and loudest home end, holding around 10,200. Along the north touchline is the John Street Family Stand. Along the south touchline is the Tony Currie Stand, the main stand, with the club shop, museum and most hospitality. The two ends are the short sides; the two touchline stands are longer, which is why the diagram is drawn that way.

Away tickets are sold through your own club. The usual allocation is in blocks BL1–BL4 in the lower tier. For bigger cup ties part of the upper tier (BU1–BU3) can be added. Lower-tier turnstiles are 18–23; upper-tier turnstiles are 13–17. Gates normally open 90 minutes before kick-off. Everyone is searched on the way in, so arrive early rather than banking on a last-minute dash.

Sheffield station is under a mile away. Walk via Shoreham Street or follow the crowd along Bramall Lane itself. Coaches usually drop on Bramall Lane. Official matchday parking is limited; Furnival Gate on Matilda Way is the option most visiting clubs recommend. Trams to Granville Road or Park Grange Croft get you close. Do not cut through the hotel car park if you need the accessible entrance: it is a steep slope. The accessible gate for the away end is the red gate by the Legends of the Lane Museum.

The lower away tier is close to the pitch and the goal. Views are generally clear. The Kop opposite has a couple of supporting pillars that can bother home fans in certain rows; your end is kinder. Safe standing rails have been approved for part of the away end and the back of the Kop, so check your ticket for the exact block on the day. The upper Bramall Lane tier, when it is given to visitors, is often praised as one of the best elevated views in the ground.

Pubs immediately around the ground lean home. Many away groups drink in the city centre first, then walk down. Inside, expect standard stadium food and drink on the concourse. Stewards will point you to toilets and refreshments. The family enclosure is in the John Street Stand and is not for unaccompanied visiting adults.

Atmosphere is honest rather than theatrical. The Kop will make most of the noise; you will hear “the Bramall Roar” when United score at that end. Banter travels, but the ground is compact and well stewarded. Follow the usual away-day rules: no bottles, flares or large flags without clearance, and keep tickets digital and ready.

After the whistle, give the streets a few minutes to thin. The walk back to the station is straightforward in daylight and well lit after night games. If you only remember three things: west goal for away fans, turnstiles 18–23 for the lower tier, and leave enough time for the search. Bramall Lane is tight, historic and loud. Treat it as a proper old ground and you will have a good afternoon.