With a 2-1 victory at struggling Wigan, Sheffield United secured second place in the Championship. The victory was hard-fought but ultimately deserved.
Early in the first half, John Egan gave United the lead, and Billy Sharp later scored a second before Nathan Broadhead pulled one back for Wigan. In the opening eighty seconds of Kolo Toure's first home game, Wigan created a huge opportunity when the midfield gaped open for Will Keane, who advanced before shooting narrowly over the bar.
When Tom Naylor's effort looked to be blocked by a visiting hand or arm, the home team raised a demand for a penalty, but referee Dean Whitestone allowed play to continue.
The relief, however, was just momentary, as Egan scored the opening goal for the Blades in the eighth minute with a free header from the next corner.
When Wes Foderingham mishandled a James McClean volley, Wigan almost scored, but the offside flag was up before Broadhead could convert the rebound, which was nonetheless blocked.
Every time they attacked, the visitors were threatening, and Wigan was grateful to Tilt for a brilliant block to stop James McAtee.
When Latics lost control of the ball at the back, Sharp's backheel eliminated Jack Whatmough from the contest, making it virtually 2-0 to the Blades. Only an outstanding save by Jones stopped McAtee's advance.
Whatmough was only involved in that one play before limping off and being replaced by Rarmani Edmonds-Green. Just before the intermission, the new man made his initial move, appearing to have his shirt tucked as he attempted to get his head into a corner.
To their credit, United kept Wigan at bay and increased their lead 11 minutes after the game had resumed.
Once more, Wigan was the architect of their own demise. After losing the ball, captain Tendayi Darikwa watched in horror as Sharp punished him with a lethal finish. Due to this, Joe Bennett and Darikwa were replaced by Ryan Nyambe and Thelo Aasgaard.
After Callum Lang had seen a shot excellently parried by Foderingham, Aasgaard nearly made a difference shortly after entering the game. Aasgaard received the rebound, and although a United defender appeared to have stopped his goal-bound shot on the line, the referee once more chose not to blow his whistle.
In the 65th minute, Wigan did manage to get one back when Foderingham spilled McClean's cross-shot into the path of Broadhead, who was unable to miss from a yard. The Wigan player was obviously offside when McClean touched him, but the authorities once more failed to notice it on replays.
United managed to maintain their advantage over Burnley for the remaining period, cutting the difference to just three points.
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