Last updated on .From the section Championship

Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has scored 20 goals this season

Sheffield United boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a comfortable win over struggling Bolton Wanderers.

Chris Wilder's side dominated the first half, but were denied by some superb last-ditch blocks from the visitors.

David McGoldrick finally gave the Blades the lead when he converted a low cross from strike partner Billy Sharp.

Wanderers came close to an equaliser but Sammy Ameobi was unable to convert from Jason Lowe's powerful centre and Sharp wrapped up the win with a close-range header for his 20th of the season.

The three points temporarily moved Chris Wilder's men into second place, although they slipped back down to third when Norwich won at Leeds in the day's late kick-off.

It had threatened to be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, with Wanderers defending admirably in the face of immense pressure.

However, the Blades eventually got the breakthrough when McGoldrick tapped in his fifth in seven games and Championship top scorer Sharp made the points safe with 17 minutes to play.

The Blades visit out-of-form Aston Villa on Friday (19:45 GMT), while Bolton, who are now three points adrift of safety, host Preston on Saturday (15:00).

'I want us to go for the knockout' - what they said

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"Getting the first goal was all important. We can't wait for things to happen, we've got grab the initiative off teams.

"We played too slow, we went backwards and sideways we didn't go forward enough and didn't play quick enough.

"We came out second half and upped the game, we went through the gears and came out as well-deserved winners.

"It was a sparring first half and we're not a sparring team, I want us to go for the knockout."

Bolton Wanderers assistant manager Steve Parkin:

"We just have to keep working with the players. They're a good set of lads who're giving everything they've got.

"Everybody wrote us off last season and I'm sure they're writing us off this year. We've got to prove everybody wrong like we did last year.

"It's a tough league but we have the experience to come through it."