Sheffield United have picked up the first points of the new League One season courtesy of a narrow 2-1 win over Notts County at Bramall Lane.
The match marked the beginning of the Football League's 125th anniversary and David Weir's first in charge of the Blades, who were soon in the ascendency when Magpies defender Gary Liddle was sent off after just 13 minutes.
Liddle, who usually operates as a midfielder, was filling in at centre-back and caught the surging Kevin McDonald with a high tackle, which referee Keith Stroud deemed to be a red-card offence.
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McDonald was soon in the action again, scoring the opening goal on 29 minutes by guiding Darryl Westlake's low cross into the net after the full-back had been released by debutant Febian Brandy.
Joss Labadie missed a great chance to equalise for the 10-man visiting team, while at the other end Chris Porter could have extended United's advantage but was wasteful with a pair of opportunities.
Magpies boss Chris Kiwomya threw on powerful striker Enoch Showunmi and his introduction had an immediate impact, as he rifled home low from 25 yards into the bottom corner.
Notts built on their equaliser and had United on the back foot, before the hosts capitalised on some poor set-piece defending to regain the lead.
Centre-half Harry Maguire rose high at the far post to thump what would prove to be a decisive header into the far corner - his seventh career goal, four of which have come against County.
Joe Fish
