29th April Sheffield United 3 Bradford City 0 (Attendance:18,297)
Line-up: Kenny, Curtis, Jagielka, Page, Kozluk, Brown, McCall (Allison 84), Ndlovu (Kabba 71), Tonge, Asaba, Windass (Peschisolido 71)
Subs not used: Murphy, Rankine.
Scorers: Brown 60 ,79 (pen), Ndlovu 64

Three second half goals helped United beat a poor quality Bradford City side as the Blades went storming into the play-offs with another win. Michael Brown grabbed two and the in-form Peter Ndlovu added another to claim the points. United, are already assured of a play-off spot, so most of the talk before the match was; who Neil Warnock would start with up front. It was Carl Asaba and Dean Windass who got the nod with his other three other strikers watching from the bench. Tonight's starting front two could be a pointer from Warnock as to who he regards as his premier front pairing for the Play-off matches. It was as early as the fifth minute that a neat build up provided Carl Asaba with a chance but he smashed his effort over the top. Bradford had an early opportunity when Blades keeper Paddy Kenny produced an impressive stop to deny Danny Forrest. It was obvious Stuart McCall was back in the team, winning numerous tackles and distributing the ball expertly in the middle of the park. Michael Tonge produced a stinging 30-yard effort which was well saved by Bradford keeper Aidan Davison. A one-two with Brown took Ndlovu into the area but his shot was parried by Davison. Asaba should have given United the lead ten minutes before half time but Bradford's Gus Uhlenbeek raced in to clear with Davison beaten. After the restart; Ndlovu shot high with a long-range effort before Dean Windass beat the keeper with a cracking shot that came back off the bar. But on the hour Brown struck with a superbly hit shot from 25 yards out to put the Blades in front. Ndlovu was on top form tonight, and three minutes later he killed off the contest with United's second goal. The weaving winger burst into the box and stabbed a shot goalwards from close in. Davison dropped to block the effort but he could only parry the shot and as it sprang up Ndlovu stooped to head the rebound over the stranded keeper. Bradford's defenders must have been wondering what was happening when Warnock brought on all of his frontmen for a run out. Asaba, Peschisolido, Allison, Kabba were all on causing all sorts of problems for the hapless Bradford defenders. And when Mark Bower gave away a 78th minute penalty with a shove on Paul Peschisolido, Brown hit his 20th of the season from the spot to send Blades fans home happy and thinking of the Play-offs.

26th April Sheffield United 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 (Attendance:22,211)
Line-up: Kenny, Curtis, Murphy (Jagielka 45), Page, Kozluk, Rankine, Montgomery (Allision 67), Brown, Morrison (Tonge 75), Kabba, Peschisolido.
Subs not used: Asaba, Ndlovu.
Bookings: Peschisolido 58.
Scorers: Peschisolido 2, 90, Brown 56 (pen).

Paul Peschisolido grabbed a breathtaking equaliser seconds from time in a thriller that could turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the Division One play-off final. Peschisolido, who had snatched the lead for the Blades, struck with a spectacular shot as in-form Wolves clung on in the hectic final minutes. Both sides rested key players as United started with a flourish, Peschisolido trying his luck from close range and firing wide seconds after the kick-off before ever busy striker broke the deadlock after two minutes. He charged down Joleon Lescott's attempted clearance, the ball bouncing off his chest as he swept by the Wolves defender. Keeper Matt Murray charged off his line as Peschisolido coolly lobbed him from 16 yards out. Wolves grabbed an equaliser in the 11th minute after a mistake by Nick Montgomery. Dean Sturridge threaded the ball to George Ndah who swept past Shaun Murphy to beat Paddy Kenny with a low strike from just inside the area. Sturridge almost snatched the lead five minutes later as he stormed past Blades defender Robert Page, firing in a shot from 18 yards which beat Kenny but then cannoned off the foot of the post. United escaped again when Kenny failed to cut out full-back Marc Edworthy's cross as Murphy moved in to hack the ball clear of the line with Sturridge waiting to pounce. Wolves grabbed their second deep in first-half injury time. Alex Rae mis-hit a shot as he cut in from the right and the ball spun away from the goal to Sturridge as he lurked near the far post. Sturridge cleverly controlled it before beating Kenny from six yards. At the start of the second half, United brought on Phil Jagielka for the injured Murphy. The Blades were back on level terms in the 56th minute after Lescott barged Steven Kabba off the ball in the area. Michael Brown scored from the resulting penalty, he blasted the ball straight at Murray but the goalkeeper had already dived the wrong way. Then, five minutes later Wolves got a penalty as Robert Page brought down Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron inside the area, and Sturridge sent Kenny the wrong way with a shot into the side of the net. Wolves’ goalkeeper Murray kept his side ahead with two good saves from Rankine and Peschisolido as United began to dominate the closing stages of the game. Wayne Allison replaced Montgomery and Kabba moved to the right as United pushed forward for the equaliser. In the second minute of injury-time Peschisolido got past the Wolves back line, and charged towards goal unleashing an unstoppable stunning volley from 25 yards out, Wolves goalkeeper Murray had no chance as the ball bulged into the back of the net, for one of the goals of the season at the Lane.

22nd April Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been voted the Supporters' Player of the Year. Kenny scooped the coveted award in his first full season at Bramall Lane after a string of superb performances. Neil Warnock signed Kenny after Simon Tracey failed to recover from knee surgery. Previous goalkeepers to win the award have been: Alan Hodgkinson (1966-67), Jim Brown (1974-75), Simon Tracey (1989-90 and 1991-92) and Alan Kelly (1995-96). Phil Jagielka won the Young Player of the Year award.

21st April Sheffield United 2 Leicester City 1 (Attendance:21,277)
Line-up: Kenny, Curtis, Kozluk (Allison 88), Jagielka, Murphy, Ndlovu, Brown, Tonge, Rankine, Asaba, Windass (Kabba 67).
Subs not used: Cas, Montgomery, Peschisolido.
Bookings: Ndlovu 37, Rankine 65.
Scorer: Asaba 90.

Carl Asaba snatched a last minute winner to put the Blades into the Division One Play-offs. The United striker stabbed the ball over the line in injury time to dent Leicester's hopes of the championship. United were in trouble early on, when a three-man move sliced through the United back four. Paul Dickov picked out Trevor Benjamin who appeared to elbow Peter Ndlovu, the referee waved play on and Jordan Stewart's cross to the far post was met by an unmarked Brian Deane to volley a low shot into the net. United drew level after 15 minutes. Michael Tonge did the hard work cutting in from the left and squeezing past Matt Elliott before picking out Carl Asaba who turned quickly to squeeze the ball past Ian Walker at the near post. Peter Ndlovu tried his luck from long range but fired wildly over the bar before drilling in a centre from the right, the ball flying across the face of the Leicester goal with Dean Windass just failing to connect as the Blades grabbed the initiative. United continued to pose problems for Leicester, and Michael Brown should have added a second goal in the 27th minute when he ran clear of the Foxes defence but went on to shoot over the crossbar. Deane squandered a half-chance hammering the ball into ground and over the top and seconds before the interval midfielder James Scowcroft caught Kenny out, with a shot on the turn, beating the United keeper only for the ball to cannon off the foot of the post. The woodwork saved Leicester in the 49th minute. Windass found Asaba, who picked out Ndlovu with a downward header, who struck an eye catching volley from 18 yards, the ball hitting Walker's right hand post. Dickov slammed a free-kick straight at the United keeper before Leicester were reduced to ten men in the 55th minute, midfielder Callum Davidson was ordered off after upending Brown, his second booking of the game. Davidson's dismissal forced Leicester into a reshuffle with Billy McKinlay replacing Deane, leaving Leicester with only Paul Dickov as the lone striker. As Leicester started to defend deeper the Blades pilled on the pressure, with Steven Kabba replacing Windass. Tonge, Rankine and Brown all created good chances, but as the game drew to a close, the Foxes intentions were obvious, they were going to try hang on for a valuable point, and to reinforce this brought on defender Gerry Taggart after 86 minutes. United threw Wayne Allison on in the 88th minute, and then laid siege to the Leicester goal, and it worked, United's never-say-die battling approach paid off yet again, in the fourth minute of time added on, it was Asaba who scrambled in the winner from close range.

19th April Preston North End 2 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance:14,793)
Line-up: Kenny, Kozluk, Curtis, Jagielka, Murphy, Montgomery, Tonge, Brown, Cas (Morrison 73), Allison (Asaba 67). Kabba (Peschisolido 66).
Subs not used: Windass, Cryan.

The Blades crashed to defeat at Deepdale, and still need four points for the play-offs. United made five changes to the starting line-up from last Tuesday's match. Most surprisingly was the omission of Carl Asaba who was outstanding in midweek. United have not won at Preston since 1955, and in a scrappy match, Neil Warnock's team had their chances but failed to take them. Preston almost got off to a brilliant start but Pawel Abbott's right-foot shot in the second minute was brilliantly saved by Paddy Kenny. Marcel Cas then shot wide and veteran striker Wayne Allison had a header saved by Jonathan Gould as the Blades bounced back. Preston's Richard Cresswell limped off after 36 minutes and was replaced by Simon Lynch. Michael Brown forced a save from Jonathan Gould early in the second-half and then full-back Rob Kozluk had a shot blocked. The Blades continued to create the chances before Dickson Etuhu met Graham Alexander's corner to head home from six yards and give Preston the lead. Owen Morrison replaced Cas with 17 minutes remaining and then lashed a shot over the top as United searched for an equaliser. Eddie Lewis and Etuhu both went close for the Lilywhites before Tonge forced Gould into a fantastic save and Brown curled a free-kick over the crossbar. But American international Lewis made the game safe when he converted Etuhu's cross from the right to seal the points for Preston.

15th April Sheffield United 1 Nottingham Forest 0 (Attendance:23,317)
Line-up: Kenny, Kozluk, Curtis, Page, Jagielka, Tonge, Brown, Rankine, Ndlovu (Montgomery 85), Windass (Murphy 90), Asaba (Kabba 87).
Subs not used: Morrison, Peschisolido.
Scorer: Asaba 62.

Carl Asaba struck his 10th of the season an produced a superb individual performance as the Blades beat a highly rated Nottingham Forest team. Asaba, making his first start since January, hit the target in the 62nd minute, leaving United needing four more points to guarantee a top-six finish. Forest, also chasing the play offs, had the edge early in the game. Marlon Harewood sliced through the United defence on 11 minutes, but with David Johnson inside he chose to go alone before slipping as he tried to twist past Phil Jagielka. United escaped again minutes later, Andy Reid whipped in a wicked centre with Harewood and Johnson failed to connect as the ball flashed across the goalmouth before the Blades almost snatched the lead. Michael Tonge curled a free-kick round the wall as keeper Darren Ward flung himself to his left to fingertip the ball around the post. Michael Brown ran half the length of the field evading two tackles before picking out Dean Windass as he steamed into the area but he hacked the ball over from 15 yards. Windass shot wide and Peter Ndlovu's close-range header from Mark Rankine's cross flashed wide of the target as United took control. The breakthrough almost came in the 34th minute, Jagielka out jumping his marker to stretch for Tonge's corner, his fierce header beating Ward but crashing against the underside of the bar before the ball was hacked clear. Ndlovu should have broken the deadlock a minute later, Tonge piercing the Forest back four with a delicate pass as the United midfielder, with time to pick his spot, hit a tame shot from 12 yards. Just before the break, Johnson produced a an overhead kick meeting Jim Brennan's cross, but Paddy Kenny pushed it wide of the post. Asaba swept United ahead in the 62nd minute, the goal carved out by the hardworking Ndlovu, as he weaved into the box before threading the ball to the big striker who toe-poked it past Ward from 12 yards. Jack Lester headed wide and Jon-Olav Hjelde's close-range effort was fisted away by Kenny as Forest battled in vain for an equaliser.

13th April Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance:59,170)
Line-up: Kenny, Curtis, Jagielka, Kozluk, Page, McCall (Montgomery 60), Brown, Tonge, Ndlovu, Allison (Asaba 60), Kabba (Peschisolido 79)
Subs not used: Kelly, Murphy.
Bookings: McCall 25, Brown 48, Asaba 71.

A controversial goal proved to be enough to put the Blades out of the FA Cup, in a tightly fought semi-final at Old Trafford. The Blades hard-working style unsettled Arsenal throughout the game, and only a sensational save from David Seaman in the closing stages denied United an equiliser. Arsenal failed to trouble Paddy Kenny in the United goal in the early stages as the Blades battled for every ball. Indeed, Arsenal did not have a shot on goal until the 30th minute when Kenny dealt comfortably with an ambitious Ray Parlour effort. The game turned in the 35th minute, and in controversial circumstances. Wayne Allison went down injured after a tussle with Sol Campbell which looked a clear foul, but incredibly the referee waved play on and then unbelievably managed to collide with Michael Tonge in midfield. The collision was such that if any player on the pitch had acted in such a way, they would have been booked. But from that freakish incident the referee managed to setup the Gunners; Francis Jeffers raced to the byline and pulled the ball back to Sylvain Wiltord whose shot hit the post. Wiltord reacted quickly to retrieve the ball and eventually found Ljungberg who sidefooted the ball into the roof of the net. As the half-time whistle blew, the referee walked off to a crescendo of boos from the Blades fans. Neil Warnock was clearly seething, but managed to hold his anger back. The Blades dominated the second half as they went for an equiliser. Peter Ndlovu wasted the best chance in the 53rd minute when he shot straight at Seaman when well-placed. Five minutes later Edu and Gilberto beat the United defense and Kenny had to be alert to deny Wiltord. But, United refused to lie down and Michael Brown slammed a shot just wide in the 64th minute after the ball fell to him inside the area. In the closing stages Thierry Henry hooked a shot just wide. Substitute Paul Peschisolido looked certain to score when he diverted Carl Asaba's shot towards goal, but Seaman produced an incredible one-handed save. That save proved to be the last chance for the Blades. Yet again United have been beaten by what can only be described as a set of disgraceful circumstances – and yet again Arsenal were involved. But Neil Warnock and his players should know that they have done the City of Sheffield proud - yet again. Well done the Blades.

9th April United have injuries to Phil Jagielka (bruised leg) and Rob Kozluk (hamstring) to contend with before the FA Cup Semi-Final tie with Arsenal. They both suffered knocks against Crystal Palace last weekend and are doubtful for the trip to Old Trafford. Rob Ullathorne is back in contention having come back from a double hernia operation and played in a reserve at Barnsley. Iffy Onuora has missed seven months with an Achilles injury but has been back in full training for weeks and played half an hour in the match.

7th April Wimbledon 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance:1,325)
Line-up: Kenny, Cas, Murphy, Page, Doane (Tonge 59), Javary (Ndlovu 84), Rankine, Morrison, Montgomery, Peschisolido, Windass (Asaba 84).
Subs not used: McCall, Kabba.

The Blades returned to Selhurst Park and made seven changes from Saturday's game. Owen Morrison and Dean Windass returned to the starting eleven. Paul Peschisolido got a deserved start up front and Jean-Phillipe Javery started in midfield. Mark Rankine also made his first start for the Blades. It was United's last game with Wimbledon before the London club up-roots and moves to Milton Keynes. Great fun could be had trying to spot Wimbledon Fans' in what was a terrible turnout. Most Dons' fans have already given up and turned to the non-league AFC Wimbledon, and who can blame them. In the first half; United had two good opportunities to score. On the half-hour mark Marcel Cas took a throw on the right and when it came back to him his volley was goal bound, before Kelvin Davis dived to his right to palm the shot away for a corner. Seven minutes later the Dons struck. Peter Hawkins was heavily involved in the build-up pressure. Patrick Agyemang's shot was half stopped, but Neil Shipperley's 20th goal was just a simple tap in. On the stroke of half time Dean Windass' 30-yard free-kick hit the woodwork. Windass was never going to get a goal as his 53rd minute effort showed. From close in he forced Davis to save when he should have scored. On the hour his free-kick from the edge of the box was twice charged down by the six-man wall and then cleared, before David Connolly scuffed a golden chance in the 52nd minute. Darren Holloway was the first to go in the book for a challenge on Ben Doane who was stretchered off and substituted by Michael Tonge. The injury to Doane is a blow for the Blades who have been cursed with injuries to both full back positions all season. Paul Peschisolido had a good chance in the 73rd minute. Three yards out from the left post, under a challenge, he hit his effort wide of the right upright. Adam Nowland was yellow carded for a foul on Owen Morrison and then stupidly followed it up in the 83rd minute with a foul on Peschisolido. The Blades increased their pressure after the Dons went down to ten men for the final seven minutes. But it was not to be United's night, on a night when United fielded an makeshift side; the biggest praise should go to the 500 Bladesmen who returned down to the capital to follow United.

5th April Crystal Palace 2 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance:15,377)
Line-up: Kenny, Jagielka (Cas 45), Kozluk, Murphy, Page, Montgomery (Rankine 68), McCall, Tonge, Ndlovu, Allison (Asaba 68), Kabba.
Subs not used: Peschisolido, Windass.
Bookings: Page 35.
Scorers: Popovic (og) 21, Kabba 86.

A late strike by Steven Kabba gave the Blades a 2-2 darw at Selhurst Park. Stuart McCall and Nick Montgomery returned to the starting eleven, but the biggest absentee from the United team was Michael Brown. Palace, took the lead through Dele Adebola. An own goal by Palaces' Tony Popovic's brought the sides level, Noel Whelan restored Palaces lead before half time and it stayed that way until Kabba's 87th-minute strike. The first chance went to the Eagles when Whelan got in a shot from close range that United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny did well to divert around the post. Palace went ahead after 15 minutes with a scrappy effort, with the United defence at fault as they failed to get in a strong enough challenge before Adebola struck a low shot past Kenny and into the net. The Eagles' celebrations were short-lived when the 'Chief' Wayne Allison squared the ball across the Palace box and Popovic stuck out a leg and deflected it past Alex Kolinko. Whelan restored the lead for Palace after 28 minutes as the striker beat Kenny to give the Eagles' an undeserved lead at the interval. United had looked unusually out of sorts in defence, but Kabba and Peter Ndlovu were lively at the other end, with Allison holding the ball up well. In the second half, Neil Warnock threw on Carl Asaba and new signing Mark Rankine with just over 20 minutes left in an attempt to liven proceedings. Palace came closest to a goal, however, with Popovic getting in a close-range effort that Kenny managed to parry and Steven Thomson knocked a shot over the bar. But with three minutes left, Palace paid for their failure to clear and Kabba stuck with a half-volley for a valuable goal, which gave the Blades a well earned draw, and keeps United well positioned in their quest for a play-off position.

3rd April Carl Asaba is hoping to make a return before the end of the season to give United's promotion push a boost. Asaba has been out since the 2-1 League Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Liverpool on 8 January. But Asaba says he is desperate to get back in the mix in time for the big run-in in the league and the FA Cup.