Frank Onyeka ends Brentford drought and brings Blades closer to the trapdoor | first division

Something had to give. Among them, Brentford and Sheffield United He had played a total of 16 games without winning. For Brentford the drought did not extend to 10 games and they finished the day seven points clear of relegation with five to play. For the Blades, Oliver Arblaster's unfortunate deflection of Mikkel Damsgaard's cross before Frank Onyeka's stoppage-time goal meant they were eight winless. The relegation hatch, and with it the prospect of starting a championship season with less than two points, is opening wider and wider.

While Sheffield United's fate seemed sealed from the start of the season, the fact that Brentford are among those struggling has been shocking compared to their previous Premier League campaigns. The lack of victories has dragged them dangerously downwards. Quality performances against Manchester United, Brighton and Aston Villa achieved three draws. They have lacked the firepower to put down the opposition.

Ivan Toney was on the bench but did not participate following illness and aggravation of a hip problem. Little has gone according to plan for someone whose return was supposed to lift Brentford far from danger, his only goal in almost two months came in an England shirt.

“It feels so good,” Thomas Frank said of his team's victory. “I've been telling the guys, 'please don't do that to me or yourselves again.'” When full time arrived, he and club owner Matthew Benham shared a warm hug. “A good performance, but not over the top, we have been struggling.”

Despite Chris Wilder failing to rescue Sheffield United, visiting fans continue to hail him as “one of ours”. Benching skilful guys like Cameron Archer, James McAtee and Vini Souza, with Ollie McBurnie partnering Ben Brereton Díaz in the forward line, was an indicator of a muscular strategy.

As Vitaly Janelt, Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen whistled long-range shots into Ivo Grbic's goal, United's defense kept Brentford at bay throughout the first half. Except when Anel Ahmedhodzic lost the ball deep in his own half and Maupay could only flick the ball wide, a chance an in-form Toney would be expected to devour. There was also a header chance that fell to Yoane Wissa. “Offensively, we didn't get it done,” Frank said.

Aside from a good turn from McBurnie that led to Janelt withdrawing the striker, Sheffield United offered even less. The break was a blessed relief for the spectators, although it was cause for celebration for Wilder. “For a team like us, reaching half-time 0-0 is an achievement,” he said. “And I don't think he had his back to the wall.”

An improved contest followed, although despite the importance of the victory, the Brentford club shop will be selling some commemorative DVDs. With a touch of fortune and farce, the deadlock was broken. After a quick counterattack, when space finally opened up, Damsgaard's attempted cross deflected off Arblaster and went in. “We turned the ball over cheaply,” Wilder said.

“We've been feeling a bit unlucky throughout the season, so it was really good to see things go our way,” said Mathias Jørgensen, the Brentford defender who overcame a physical battle with flying colours.

Could Brentford rediscover the feeling of winning? They did not try to hold on grimly. Damsgaard, this time with a better connection, scored a sweet volley from Bryan Mbeumo's cross for what would have been his first Brentford goal, only for VAR to rule that McBurnie had been fouled in the earlier melee.

Groans of greeting rang out as eight minutes were added, only for late substitute Kevin Schade, out since September, to hit a beautiful strike that sent Onyeka into a goal. It meant salvation and relief for Brentford, but imminent and inescapable doom for Sheffield United.