JAMIE Murphy’s second-half double saw Swindon Town toppled at the summit of the League One table following defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Murphy lashed home the opener with 16 minutes to play following a sustained spell of pressure from the home side at Bramall Lane.

And the Blades frontman then killed the game off in stoppage time, capitalising as Town were caught short at the back after flooding forward in search of an equaliser.

Town struggled to find their best form throughout the match and were unable to seriously trouble a much-changed United side, who retained just Chris Basham from the team that played Tottenham in the Capital One Cup semi-finals in midweek.

The loss, coupled with MK Dons’ 5-0 win at Crewe, saw Mark Cooper’s side surrender top spot and they are now down as low as third, with Bristol City also leapfrogging them on goal difference.

The opening half-hour was a scrappy affair, with fouls littering the action and flowing football at a premium.

In fact there were more bookings than chances in that time as referee David Coote was forced to reach for his pocket on no fewer than five occasions.

Swindon shaded that spell, with Harry Toffolo going close with a free-kick that curled around the wall but also the far post as well.

John Swift was then denied by home keeper Ian Turner, while Jon Obika saw an effort blocked after good work on the right by Nathan Byrne.

Once the game settled, play began to open up and Che Adams was inches away from an opener for United. The youngster let fly from 25 yards but it curled agonisingly past the post.

Not to be outdone, Town then fashioned out their best chance. After a bit of ping-pong in the box following some good work by Obika, the ball broke to Swift but his effort crashed against the bar and over the top.

The woodwork was then called into action at the other end as Swindon somehow escaped to the break level. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Murphy sent a low free-kick crashing against the post, with the ball spinning across the line before Town were able to hook away the danger.

The football continued to improve as the second half got under way, with chances coming at either end.

None were of real quality until the 65th minute, though, where Murphy made room for himself in the Town box only to be denied by Wes Foderingham.

Town were then lucky to keep their full 11 on the field when Nathan Thompson sent Adams tumbling as United broke.

The Swindon skipper was the last man but was shown just a yellow card, with the fact Adams still had 40 yards between him and the goal probably playing a factor in referee Coote’s decision.

The hosts were now in control of the contest and the goal they had been threatening came with a quarter-of-an-hour to play.

Murphy took a quick throw, releasing Louis Reed on the right. He raced forward and pulled the ball back where Murphy had raced unmarked into the box to rifle past Foderingham.

Town bombed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing minutes and thought they would get that chance when Jordan Turnbull was sent tumbling in the box but nothing was given.

That tactic left Swindon short at the back, though, and the Blades were able to grab a second goal in stoppage time.

A swift United counter attack saw Murphy race clear on halfway and after entering the box, he delicately chipped the ball over Foderingham to seal the win.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Turner, Brayford (capt), Basham, Kennedy, Freeman, Wallace (Scougall 60), Reed, Coutts (Baxter 79), Davies, Higdon (Murphy 43), Adams. Subs not used: Long, Alcock, Doyle, McNulty.

SWINDON TOWN: Foderingham, Branco, N Thompson (capt), Turnbull, Byrne, Stephens, L Thompson, Swift, Toffolo, Obika (Smith 63), Williams (Hylton 82). Subs not used: Belford, Barthram, Rodgers, Marshall, Hylton.

Referee: David Coote

Attendance: 19,940