First Division Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg SHEFFIELD United's foreign stars, Brazilian Marcelo and Greek international Vas Borbokis, scored the first leg goals which gave the Blades the edge at Bramall Lane. Sunderland's inspirational skipper Kevin Ball gave his side a 17th-minute advantage, but second-half strikes by Marcelo and Borbokis put United on course for Wembley and a place in the Division One Play-Off Final for the second year in a row. Despite the double set-back of losing striker Gareth Taylor through injury after ten minutes and Ball's opener seven minutes later, the home side refused to buckle against a team which had finished 14 points ahead of them in the table. The FA Cup semi-finalists drew level after 57 minutes through Marcelo, Taylor's replacement, and Borbokis' thunderous strike 14 minutes from time gave United a slender advantage going into the second leg on Wednesday at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were left reflecting on what might have been, after taking the lead and later spurning a couple of good chances to add to their tally. Daniele Dichio and Nicky Summerbee were the guilty men and manager Peter Reid must have been disturbed at the way his team went off the boil after Ball's goal. Summerbee carved out an early opening in the 15th minute when he played the ball down the line to Lee Clark, who delivered a precise cross only for Dichio to head wide when it seemed easier to hit the target. But two minutes later, Ball, always so industrious and a key figure in the Sunderland revival under Reid, smacked home an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area after top scorer Kevin Phillips had nodded down a delightful Allan Johnston cross. United found it hard work in the first half, although they created a couple of half-chances of their own; Dean Saunders firing in a good shot which was deflected wide by Darren Williams and, moments later, the Welsh international saw goalkeeper Lionel Perez block a close-range effort. Sunderland should have added a second goal ten minutes after the break when Dichio knocked the ball back to Summerbee inside the penalty area, but the winger's effort was woefully off-target. The visitors were soon to pay the penalty for that miss. United drew level in the 57th minute when Borbokis swung in a corner from the left. Marcelo was lurking at the near post and tucked the ball home for his eighth goal of the season. The home side grew in confidence as a result and Saunders saw his speculative 35-yard shot drift just wide with Perez off his line. But they got a deserved winner with 14 minutes left, when Sunderland substitute Alex Rae gave away a free kick on the left for a foul on Ian Hamilton and, from fully 30 yards out, Borbokis sent a magnificent strike over Perez's head and into the corner of the net.

REID RAGE AT BLUNDERLAND SUNDERLAND   SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid tore into his side for the elementary mistakes that led to their defeat in yesterday's Division One play-off semi-final first leg. Goals from Marcelo and Vas Borbokis gave United the advantage after Kevin Ball had opened the scoring for the visitors, setting up a tense return leg on Wednesday - and Reid is praying his side do a better job defensively at the Stadium of Light. He said: We made elementary mistakes and against a good side like Sheffield United, you can't afford to do that. The goals we give away drive me crazy and make me mad. We were sloppy again today and I thought both goals were poor. United won most of the second balls. "I was disappointed at the result, especially after we'd gone in front. It will be a good atmosphere in the return match and I still think we are favourites, but we have got to defend better. Reid's opposite number, Steve Thompson, was delighted with the way his players bounced back in the second half. They now have their eyes on Wembley, where they were beaten in extra-time by Crystal Palace in last year's play-off final. He said: We were staring down the barrels at half-time. I told my team that when we got the ball, we should try and pass it, so we got the ball through midfield and raided more often as a team. There is always passion in my teams, but we showed self-belief as well and I thought they were two marvellous goals. SHEFFIELD UNITED: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Ford, Sandford, Holdsworth, Saunders, Marker, Devlin, Taylor (Marcello 10), Hamilton Subs Not Used: Morris, Dellas Booked: Borbokis, Marker, Quinn SUNDERLAND: Perez, Holloway (Rae 67), Makin (Ord 45), Clark, Craddock, Williams, Summerbee, Ball, Dichio, Phillips, Johnston Subs Not Used: Bridges Booked: Phillips, Williams, Ball Att: 23,800 Ref: CR Wilkes (Gloucester)

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