Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough hailed his players after their shock Capital One Cup win over Southampton.

The League One Blades claimed a second Premier League scalp of the season as Marc McNulty's second-half goal was enough to see off a hapless Saints and ensure a second semi-final appearance in a major cup competition in two seasons after they reached the last four of the FA Cup last season.

Clough said: "That's the only slightly disappointing thing, we would have settled for a 1-0 I think, but we probably should have had a second goal tonight.

"It was a remarkable effort by the players.

"The 14 lads we had out there gave absolutely everything.

"When you consider we had a couple of lads from Ilkeston Town out there, an 18-year-old, a right winger playing at right-back, that all comes into it and that makes it a remarkable result.

"It makes nights like this very special for supporters and the atmosphere they make, not many clubs will want to come here and play a cup tie.

"We thought we created the better chances and played well. In the last half an hour we controlled it.

"The players love playing teams from higher leagues, I think they relish it, I don't think it daunts them and we do look forward to these type of evenings.

"I just tell them they are a League One side against a Premier League side get out there and give it a go."