CHERRIES’ Professional Development League play-off hopes were dealt a blow as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Sheffield United at Vitality Stadium.

A goal six minutes from the start by Ryan One and one six minutes from the end by Fernando Macedo were enough for the Blades.

Defeat sees Cherries slip to third in the southern section with three games to play, with the top two at the end of the season set to advance to the national play-offs.

Boss Alan Connell made just one change from the side which won at Wigan Athletic last week, with Ashley Clarke coming in for Daniel Adu-Adjei.

Cherries first-team head coach Andoni Iraola was among those watching on from the stands and he saw Sheffield Utd get off to a strong start. Louie Marsh had already curled an effort wide, before the deadlock was broken inside six minutes as a poor pass out from the back by goalkeeper Callan McKenna was pounced upon.

Striker One, who joined the Blades last summer and made his senior debut for the club in the Premier League away at Arsenal in October having featured regularly previously for Hamilton Academical, beat Archie Harris in the box, before slotting through the legs of fellow Scot McKenna.

Cherries were looking lively on the counter attack with Clarke and Michael Dacosta Gonzalez both trying their luck, the latter denied by a smart low save from keeper Luke Faxon.

Finn Tonks then charged down the right and cut the ball back for Kian Tydeman, who was only denied by a good block from Levis Pitan.

Marsh and One had chances in quick succession at the end other, before Dacosta Gonzalez blazed over from a tight angle in the closing stages of the half.

Connell turned to his bench early in the second period, bringing on Baylin Johnson and Jonny Stuttle.

The visitors quickly sought their second goal, a big right paw from McKenna keeping out Marsh’s fierce effort.

The teenager denied the same man again soon after, before Macedo curled one over the bar.

Connell’s last throw of the dice saw Remy Rees-Dottin introduced in an attacking move.

But it was the Blades who got the second goal, with six minutes to play, Macedo facing up Harris before firing home low past McKenna.

Tydeman had a late chance to pull one back, but was denied by Faxon.

Cherries: McKenna; Tonks, Kinsey, Harris, Osborne (Rees-Dottin, 80); Williams, Brown; Dacosta Gonzalez, Sadi, Clarke (Johnson, 56); Tydeman (Stuttle, 62).

Unused subs: William, Crisp (g/k).