25th April Player-coach Gary Speed hailed the Blades after they beat Swansea 1-0 to remain in contention for automatic promotion. David Cotterill's first-half penalty moved the Blades to within a point of second-placed Birmingham, who lost the evening game to Preston. The Blades now have a real chance of securing automatic promotion as they face a trip to Crystal Palace in their last game, while Birmingham have arguably the harder task of playing at high-flying Reading. Speed conducted the post-match interviews in place of manager Kevin Blackwell who was sent to the stands by referee Rob Styles in the first half for protesting against a booking given to defender Matthew Kilgallon. Kilgallon was cautioned by Styles for kicking the ball away, but moments later Swansea's Leon Britton escaped a yellow card for a similar action. "The gaffer isn't too sure what he's been sent to the stands for because he says he hasn't raised his voice," added Speed. "What he was unhappy about was the fact that Kilgallon has been booked for kicking the ball away and their player has done the same thing and got away with it. "He didn't raise his voice, it wasn't a heated exchange but the referee has still sent him to the stands.

25th April Sheffield United 1 Swansea City 0 (Attendance: 28,010)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naughton, Halford (O'Toole 85), Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Cotterill (Lupoli 90), Henderson, Ward (Webber 75).
Subs Not Used: Hendrie, Beattie.

Booked: Kilgallon 30.

Scorer: Cotterill 37 (pen).

Man of The Match: David Cotterill.

Swansea Line-up: De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tate (Butler 84), Allen (Pintado 55), Britton, Pratley, Gomez, Scotland, Dyer (Orlandi 54).
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Serran.

Booked: Allen 21.

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

United maintained their promotion push with 1-0 win against Swansea City at Bramall Lane in front of a bumper crowd of 28,010. Kyle Walker made his first league appearance for the blades, coming in a right-back, with Kyle Naughton switching to left-back in place of the injured Gary Naysmith. David Cotterill was back in his preferred right-wing role. Jamie Ward and Darious Henderson led the line for Kevin Blackwell’s side. Swansea had Darren Pratley in midfield in place of Andrea Orlandi, meaning that Jordi Gomez moved out into a wide position. The Blades got the game underway on a sunny day and with two minutes gone, it was United that created the first chance as Ward forced a save from Swans goalkeeper Dorus de Vries . Then Swansea created an opening a few moments later, with Gomez picking out Jason Scotland in the 18 yard box, and Darren Pratley fired an effort which was blocked. Gomez had a chance after 10 minutes with a 25-yard shot to send a free-kick just wide of the mark. With 24 minutes gone, United thought they had the lead. Matt Kilgallon delivered a great pass for Ward and the diminutive Lane striker side footed a volley past De Vries and into the net. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed for offside; although replays later showed that he had in-fact been level. The Premiership referee certainly wanted to be the centre of attention, and booked Kilgallon for kicking the ball away, although it was incidental and not worthy of a booking. Then the referee went running over to Blackwell on the sidelines for a chat, seconds later one of the Swansea players kicked the ball way in the exact same way as Killgallon had seconds earlier, but this time no action was taken by the referee, this annoyed the United manager, and the referee went running to the touchline again for another chat, but this time pointed Blackwell in to the South Stand to sit with the fans. United though grabbed their precious lead when Swans defender Garry Monk was adjudged to have grounded Stephen Quinn inside the area, and Cotterill side footed the penalty kick into the bottom right corner to send the Unitedites into raptures.
The Swans were finding it difficult to play their usual brand of passing football but still had attempts through a Gomez free-kick and corner, both of which came to nothing. At the break United left the field to a resounding applause, and then the referee trudged off the field with boos ringing around the ground.
Early in the second half Chris Morgan was fouled just on the edge of the Blades box but refused treatment. At the other end, Joe Allen picked out Scotland, who was six-yards from goal, but he dramatically fell to the ground looking for a penalty and the referee was not impressed.
Swansea made a double switch after 55 minutes; Orlandi took up position on the wing in place of a disappointing Nathan Dyer, while Gorka Pintado came on for Allen to partner Scotland in attack. In truth the Swans were passing the ball around at the back, but were unable to maintain their fancy style further up the field of play. United began to apply more pressure, and backed by the tremendously loud support form the Shoreham Kop they sent wave after wave of attacks on the beleaguered Swansea goal. From two Cotterill crosses, the visiting goalkeeper pushed away Henderson headers at the near post, whilst after Kilgallon had knocked down a corner, Morgan's ferociously struck shot was also saved by the over worked De Vries.
It was not until 66th minute that Swansea had a shot on the Blades goal. Orlandi won his side a corner on the left and then picked out Gomez who connected with the cross but could not hit the target. Ward had a shot deflected wide, then tried a chip from about 20 yards out, which went just over the crossbar, and proved to be his final contribution and he was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Danny Webber. Webber was immediately in the action as he hooked a shot just wide within 30 seconds of coming on, while straight down at the other end Scotland rifled a right-footed shot just over the top of goal. With five minutes remaining, Tom Butler was introduced for Swansea and John-Joe O’Toole replaced Greg Halford for the Blades. Good work by Webber and Cotterill allowed Walker to cross for Henderson to glance a header wide, and De Vries was forced into two more saves from Webber as the intense pressure continued. A rare foray by the Swans allowed Scotland to set-up Gomez in the final minute of normal time, but he sent the ball flying over the bar. Arturo Lupoli came on in the final minute, and United managed to keep the ball down near the Swansea corner flag until the final whistle blew.  Cheers of jubilation went around the ground at the end with everyone celebrating, and with Birmingham losing later that evening, it means that, United will need to go into the final match at Crystal Palace looking for a win and hope that Birmingham draw or lose. If that scenario happens the Blades will be back in the Premiership where they belong, and will put behind them the injustices of the relegation two years ago. Get your ticket for Selhurst here we come...

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Swansea: Kenny 6, Walker 7, Kilgallon 8, Morgan 8, Naughton 7, Halford 6, O'Toole -, Montgomery 8, Quinn 6, Cotterill 8, Henderson 8, Ward 8, Webber 7, Lupoli -

21st April Lee Hendrie has called for the Blades to finish strongly and 'see what happens' to rivals Birmingham in the promotion race. United suffered a bad blow to their automatic promotion hopes at Turf Moor last night when a 1-0 defeat left them still trailing second-placed Birmingham City by four points, with only two matches now remaining. Hendrie, who came on as a second-half substitute, said: "A win would have been brilliant and even a point would have changed the possibilities at the top. "But we still have a great chance of going up, even if it has to be the play-offs. "We have to aim to win our two games and see what happens. They are tough ones, but so are Birmingham's and the lads will give it everything."

20th April The defeat at Burnley ended the Blades unbeaten record on the road which stretched back to October. And assistant manager Sam Ellis, who stepped in for boss Kevin Blackwell who was otherwise engaged, said: "They were better than us. It's not a bad reason is it, it happens in football matches."We knew they'd be a good side from the cup runs they had and the league position they are in, and there's no shame in coming here and being second best. "I'm just disappointed that we were." Ellis also insisted automatic promotion was not out of the question for his side after the defeat, saying: "If we win on Saturday then the pressure is on Birmingham to win their game." Explaining Blackwell's absence he added: "He's got some business on with the lads. "We've got one or two knocks with the lads and things to see to before the lads disperse because they are not all coming back on the coach.

20th April Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 14,884)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith (Ward 16), Halford, Montgomery, O'Toole, Stephen Quinn (Hendrie 70), Beattie (Lupoli 76), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Webber, Bromby.

Man of The Match: Paddy Kenny.

Burnley Line-up: Jensen, Williams, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Elliott, Alexander, McCann, Eagles, Paterson (Rodriguez 86), Blake (Gudjonsson 80).
Subs Not Used: Penny, Duff, McDonald.

Scorer: Paterson 23.

Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).

United’s automatic promotion hopes received a blow as they lost out to Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. The Blades had Matt Kilgallon back in the centre of defence. Craig Beattie was also handed his first start, whilst midfielders John-Joe O'Toole and Stephen Quinn returned to the side. As part of the four changes, Leigh Bromby and Jamie Ward dropped to the bench, Brian Howard was suspended, and there was no place for David Cotterill. Burnley made just one change with leading scorer Martin Paterson recalled to lead the attack. Only two minutes had elapsed when the Clarets came agonisingly close to taking the lead through Wade Elliott. The winger carved his way through the Blades defence, but with Paterson creating the decoy his left-footed shot struck the top of the post. Soon after, Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen had to push a Greg Halford shot round the post after 14 minutes, as the Blades responded. After 16 minutes, Gary Naysmith limped off with an injury and Jamie Ward was the replacement with Kylie Naughton moving to left-back and Halford on the right. But it was the Clarets who took the lead on 23 minutes. a cross from Rhys Williams landed for Paterson and he lost Blades defender Chris Morgan before guiding a deft header past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. United had a great chance to level after 30 minutes. Kenny's long free-kick was knocked down by Darious Henderson but Quinn's half-volley from the edge of the box flew woefully over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Robbie Blake went down after a challenge from Halford, the two got involved in some pushing after Blake rushed to confront Halford over his challenge, but the referee took no further action. In the later part of the half, United had the better of the chances.  Beattie was unable to get a shot away from Naughton's delivery and from the resulting corner the Clarets were lucky when Henderson’s goal-bound volley struck Steven Caldwell on the shoulder and went wide. The Blades came at the Clarets sharply straight after the break, and immediately began asking questions of the Burnley defence. But it was Wade Elliott who had the first shot for Burnley on 48 minutes, his effort taking a deflection before finding its way into the hands of the Kenny. A minute later Halford headed Quinn's free-kick towards goal, but defender Clarke Carlisle headed over at full stretch. Then, Blake stormed into the Blades 18 yard box after losing both Naughton and Morgan, and then pulled the ball back to Chris McCann, who forced a fine save from Kenny. A Henderson shot went over and then, for the Clarets, Blake fired again at Kenny. With 20 minutes remaining, changes had to be made, if any criticism could be aimed at the Blades, it was they were very narrow and predictable in their direct approach play and the Burnley centre backs were in control. A change was needed and after 69 minutes, Lee Hendrie replaced Quinn in midfield. Six minutes later, Naughton's delivery was headed down by Henderson but Ward's path to goal was sealed off by Carlisle. Arturo Lupoli was introduced with just 14 minutes remaining. United tried to force the game although the Clarets defence were handling everything that was thrown in their direction. Burnley boss Owen Coyle threw on the fresh legs of Joey Gudjonsson and Jay Rodriguez, in place of Blake and Paterson. In the final minutes of normal time, Lupoli was adjudged offside after his shot had hit the post. There was more tension as the fourth official found five minutes of added time, most of which accounted for Burnley’s time wasting tactics throughout the second half. The Blades threw everyone forward including Morgan and Kilgallon in injury time but it was to no avail.  United now know they will most likely need to win both their remaining matches to have a chance of automatic promotion. This Saturday’s match against Swansea will be the most important for over a year. So get down the Lane this Saturday and roar the lads on to victory!

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Burnley: Kenny 7, Naughton 6, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 6, Naysmith 6, Halford 5, Montgomery 7, O'Toole 6, Quinn 5, Hendrie 6, Beattie 5, Lupoli 6, Henderson 6, Ward 6.

17th April Kevin Blackwell is demanding his players continue their end-of-season push for a return to the Premier League. The Blades have chalked up five victories in their last six games and are now within one point of the automatic promotion places ahead of Monday's crunch Championship fixture at Burnley. Lane boss Blackwell knows his players cannot afford to take their foot off the gas in what he believes will be a tight finish to the winning post. "That's how we've got to approach it - three cup finals," Blackwell told the Sheffield Star. "That's what we've got left."We don't know how things are going to pan out - no-one does - but what we've got to try and do is win them all. Whether or not that will be required isn't clear, but if you told me now that we'll do everyone then of course I'll take it. We've got a lot of experienced players here and you'd like to think they are going to really rise to the occasion. But the teams around us have got lots of experience too so we can't take anything for granted. In that sense, no-one has a clear advantage. But, what I can say is that I'm sure there will be a few twists and turns yet. There always are.

13th April Sheffield United 0 Nottingham Forest 0 (Attendance: 28,374)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Chris Morgan, Bromby, Naysmith, Halford, Montgomery, Howard (Hendrie 66), Cotterill (Beattie 57), Ward (Lupoli 79), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: O'Toole, Walker.

Booked: Bromby 90.

Man of The Match: Gary Naysmith.

Forest Line-up: Smith, Chambers, Wes Morgan, Breckin, Wilson, Garner (McCleary 68), Osbourne, Perch, Cohen (McGugan 76), Gunter, Blackstock (Anderson 57).
Subs Not Used: Redmond, Thornhill.

Sent Off: Wilson 16 (straight red for violent conduct).

Booked: Breckin 12, Cohen 45, Morgan 53.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

United's promotion charge was slowed down temporally by a defensive Nottingham Forest side, who held on for a 0-0 draw despite Kelvin Wilson's early dismissal. Kevin Blackwell made two changes to the Blades side that won at Reading on Friday, with Leigh Bromby and David Cotterill in for Matt Kilgallon and John Joe O'Toole. Forest were forced into five changes as goalkeeper Paul Smith, Luke Chambers, Ian Breckin, Joe Garner and Isaiah Osbourne were all named in the starting line-up. Neither side had created a single chance before a moment of madness saw Forest reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute.

Wilson inexplicably headbutted Greg Halford following a tangle on the edge of the Forest penalty area and the referee, standing only yards away, instantly brandished a red card. But United struggled to make an immediate impression against 10 men and had to wait until the 33rd minute before their first sight of goal when Darious Henderson headed Halford's ball in over the crossbar. Blades defender Gary Naysmith then foiled Wes Morgan at the far post as Forest refused to be pushed onto the back foot. Henderson thundered another header over from Cotterill's corner, but Smith did well to keep out Halford's far-post header.

The Blades continually probed for an opening after the restart, but their first effort on goal in the second half was blasted over by Halford from 15 yards out after 63 minutes. Substitute Craig Beattie, a 57th-minute replacement for Cotterill, headed wide soon after, but at the other end Joe Garner wasted a chance to test goalkeeper Paddy Kenny following Chris Gunter's gallop into the box. Beattie was wayward with a header from Kyle Naughton's cross, but Forest continued to chase and harry to thwart each United attack. Breckin was penalised for his foul on Henderson in the 82nd minute, but Halford's drive from the subsequent free-kick was comfortably gathered by Smith. Beattie headed down and wide from Hendrie's corner, then fired in a late curling effort which Smith held, and despite five minutes of injury time Forest continued to throw themselves into every block, waste time and generally frustrate to deny the Blades.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Forest: Kenny 6, Naughton 7, Chris Morgan 7, Bromby 7, Naysmith 7, Halford 6, Montgomery 7, Howard 6, Hendrie 6, Cotterill 6, Beattie 6, Ward 6, Lupoli 6, Henderson 6.

10th April Reading 0 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 20,756)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, O'Toole (Beattie 55), Montgomery, Howard (Bromby 90), Naughton, Henderson, Ward (Cotterill 82).
Subs Not Used: Lupoli, Hendrie.

Booked: Howard 29.

Scorer: Howard 59.

Man of The Match: Chris Morgan.

Reading Line-up: Hahnemann, Kelly, Bikey, Duberry, Armstrong, Kebe (Little 70), Matejovsky (Noel Hunt 78), Cisse (Tabb 43), Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Kitson.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Long.

Booked: Armstrong 66, Duberry 79.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

A Brian Howard goal gave United a priceless 1-0 win at Reading which lifts the Blades into the automatic promotion places in the Championship for the first time this season. The Blades midfield man smuggled in a 60th-minute shot after Matt Kilgallon had headed against the crossbar as United deservedly condemned the Royals to another home defeat. Manager Kevin Blackwell welcomed back Kilgallon and Howard to the United starting line-up, with David Cotterill and Leigh Bromby dropping to the bench. Reading boss Steve Coppell recalled top scorer Kevin Doyle to the starting line-up alongside Dave Kitson in a bid to end an awful run which has now seen the Royals muster just seven goals in their last 14 games. It was the Blades who had the first sight of goal when Kyle Naughton's deep cross was headed wide by John-Joe O'Toole. Greg Halford then thought he had given the Blades the lead but his effort after a blocked O'Toole shot was flagged for offside. Howard then marred a fine start by picking up his 10th booking of the season after clattering Reading's Chris Armstrong with a stray elbow, picking up a two-game suspension in the process. Royals defender Michael Duberry then wasted the first half's best chance when Marek Matejovsky's corner was cleared back to the Czech Republic midfielder, and his second ball in fell kindly for Duberry on the left-hand side of the six-yard box but he wildly slashed his effort high into the stand. Darius Henderson then capped an all-action display with a challenge on Kalifa Cisse which led to the Reading man being carried off on a motorised cart. The Mali international was taken to hospital as a precaution and his height was missed when Chris Morgan headed over from a Halford throw at the start of the second period. Blackwell introduced an extra forward in the form of Craig Beattie as the Blades smelled blood but it was the Royals who came close to opening the scoring in the 58th minute. Jamie Ward carelessly lost the ball in midfield and after Stephen Hunt had fed Jimmy Kebe his near-post cross was headed against the crossbar by Kitson. Undeterred, the Blades went forward and took the lead a minute later. Slick play between Henderson and Halford freed Ward down the right and his deep cross was looped back over Marcus Hahnemann by Kilgallon, only for the ball to hit the crossbar. However Howard was alert to the rebound and his right-footed drive squirmed off an attempted block from Hunt and dribbled into the bottom corner. Kitson then immediately went close to an equaliser with a rasping volley from the edge of the area which forced goalkeper Paddy Kenny into a fine save. Coppell's side pushed men forward more in desperation than expectation but the Blades held on to claim three huge points which will give Unitedites genuine belief that they can return to the Premier League where they truly belong.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Reading: Kenny 7, Halford 7, Morgan 8, Kilgallon 8, Naysmith 8, O'Toole 6, Beattie 6, Montgomery 7, Howard 8, Bromby -, Naughton 6, Henderson 7, Ward 7, Cotterill -.

8th April Kevin Blackwell hailed 'fantastic' skipper Chris Morgan and said the top two were watching after the Blades' 2-1 win over Barnsley. The Lane boss called victory "another big win" as it takes his side within two points of an automatic promotion spot with five games left to play. And Blackwell suggested the Blades' current winning run is giving leaders Wolves and Championship rivals Birmingham a dose of the jitters going into the final month of the season. He said: "Tonight they (the top two) were looking and it's 0-0 with 70-odd minutes to go and then two goals go in, so psychologically they know that Sheffield United are chasing them. "The lads have shown terrific spirit to chase them down because at one point Wolves were 14 points ahead, so to be as close as we are now is terrific credit to this side." Blackwell hailed Morgan for his performance against Barnsley while under the spotlight because of the events in the league encounter at Oakwell in November.

7th April Sheffield United 2 Barnsley 1 (Attendance: 27,061)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Bromby, Naysmith, Halford, Montgomery, O'Toole, Cotterill (Lupoli 70), Ward (Beattie 90), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Howard, Walker.

Booked: O'Toole 88.

Scorers: O'Toole 82, Lupoli 87.

Man of The Match: Jamie Ward.

Barnsley Line-up: Muller, Hassell, Moore, Foster, Kozluk, Teymourian, De Silva, Colace (Bogdanovic 84), Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Mifsud (Hammill 76).
Subs Not Used: Steele, Guedes, Devaney.

Booked: De Silva 53, Campbell-Ryce 57.

Scorer: Bogdanovic 90.

Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).

Late goals from John Joe O'Toole and Arturo Lupoli gave Sheffield United a 2-1 win over Barnsley in a typically feisty derby at Bramall Lane.
Matt Kilgallon and Stephen Quinn were out with injuries, whilst, Leigh Bromby and O'Toole were the replacements, with Brian Howard and Lupoli on the bench. Barnsley boss Simon Davey named an unchanged side as he hoped to end the Blades eight match unbeaten run at the Lane.  On loan Adam Hammill was on the bench for the Reds. In a nervy opening chances were at a premium, Campbell-Ryce has a shot inside four minutes when he pounced on a loose ball 30-yard from goal, but drilled his shot well wide of the mark. The Blades were almost in front three minutes later as David Cotterill's free kick took a glance off Stephen Foster to give O'Toole a chance at the back post but the midfielder could not direct his effort on target as he stretched for the ball. Winger Cotterill again did the damage down the left flank on eight minutes, as he managed to dig out a deep cross for Greg Halford to attack but he could only plant his header over the bar. Michael Mifsud had a sniff on 12 minutes as he took on Jon Macken's flick but struggled to get his foot around the ball and fired well wide of the mark. Bobby Hassell fired over the crossbar for the Reds after Chris Morgan was adjudged to have fouled Macken.  Tackles were flying in, unfortunately the referee decided to constantly keep blowing and this aggravated both sets of fans and turned up the heat in an already intense atmosphere. Mifsud was up to his old trick and threw himself to the ground after a Morgan challenge. Barnsley’s Rob Kozluk was then lucky to escape a caution as he scythed through Kyle Naughton on the far touchline as the game burst into life. Argentinean Hugo Colace almost found the perfect pass to send Mifsud in behind Morgan and Bromby on 29 minutes, but the ball skipped off the wet grass and found its way through to Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. United almost got it right when Darius Henderson got the better of defender Darren Moore on the half hour. The lane striker was getting pulled, pushed and generally man handled all evening, but got the better of the Reds defender every time, on this occasion sending the diminutive Ward away but the offside flag denied him.
Henderson again won an aerial battle to flick the ball on to Ward two minutes later but this time the striker lost his composure at the vital moment and hammered the ball high into the stand. Kenny finally had a save to make on 32 minutes as Andranik Timotian let fly from 30-yards but his low drive was easy pickings for the Blades keeper. Henderson's powerful effort needed to be pushed away by Barnsley goalkeeper Heinz Müller, and Kozluk appeared to block off Nick Montgomery, who was looking to get on the end of a Halford cross.  A minute before the break, Ward leapt highest to meet Halford's long throw but Müller was able to palm the ball over the bar. Both sides were unchanged for the start of the second period and the Reds created the first opportunity after Halford gave away possession to Anderson de Silva, and he threaded a ball through midfield for Mifsud, but Kenny parried away. United had a big shout for a penalty waved away on 49 minutes, as Campbell-Ryce swung and missed the ball in the area and it bounced up to strike him on the arm. It all kicked off two minutes later, as Anderson's tussle with Halford in front of the John Street Stand ended with the United full back getting a boot in the head. Both sets of players converged in an ugly melee but it all calmed down quickly and ended with a yellow card for the Brazilian. Campbell-Ryce was next to see yellow on 56 minutes after tripping Montgomery. United stepped up the pace and Halford was only a foot or so from getting a header on target on 58 minutes after leaping to meet Cotterill's corner. Halford did well to flick the ball on to Ward on 64 minutes, and gave the striker half a chance against Stephen Foster but the Reds defender managed to do enough to make sure his effort drifted wide of the post. Blades captain Morgan somehow appeared right on the edge of the Reds area on two minutes later to get a shot away and tested Müller but the big German was down quickly to turn the ball around the post. Mifsud's had been well marshalled by Morgan and Bromby, but got a real chance on 68 minutes as Moore's flick from a Kozluk long throw flew invitingly across goal. The Maltese striker attacked the ball well but his header was straight at Kenny. Kenny had to be alert again on 71 minutes as Foster got his head to Andranik's free kick but again his effort was straight at the Blades keeper. Barnsley were predictable to say the least, ‘one dimensional long ball football’ is the best way to describe it, and yet again another long punt by Müller put United on the back foot on 73 minutes as Barnsley tried to get forward. Macken picked up the second ball well but shot straight at Kenny from 25 yards. Mifsud then fired one straight at Kenny after trying the spectacular from the edge of the area two minutes later. O'Toole did the same from 40 yards moments later and again the ball ended up in the keepers' arms. Ward almost had his goal on 80 minutes as he skipped past Kozluk before drilling the ball straight at Müller from 12 yards. The Shoreham Kop were getting louder with every United attack, and inevitably their opener came after 81 minutes. Bromby's long throw was flicked on by Morgan. Reds keeper Muller made two point blank saves before O'Toole bundled the ball over the line in front of the Kop end to send them into delirious celebrations. Andranik's corner gave the Reds hope on 84 minutes as he drove across goal before substitute Hammill brought a stop from Kenny a minute later with a strike from distance. But, it was all over just a minute later. Kyle Naughton supplied Harford on the right, and he beat Kozluk before pulling the ball back for substitute Lupoli.  From about 25 yards out, the Italian striker was give space and directed a shot past Müller and in off a post. At 2-0 their was no way back for Barnsley and the Lane fans let their counterparts know what they thought... chants of ‘thats why your going down’ rang around the Lane. Barnsley had been looking for a penalty throughout the second half, and finally got their reward after 88 minutes. Henderson's inexplicably handled Hassell's free kick in the area under pressure from Moore. Campbell-Ryce took the spot kick and was denied as Kenny pulled out a wonder stop to his right and to turn the ball away. United took their foot of the pedal  and allowed Barnsley back in just seconds later when Macken picked out a cross from the right to give substitute Daniel Bogdanovic a free header from six yards, and the big striker powered the ball into the back of the net. It all kicked off again on the touchline in the dying moments of the game. The fourth official was just preparing to show how long was to be added when Barnsley manager Davey squared up to the United staff just a yard outside the touchline. In seconds it had developed into a mass gathering with players shooting out of their dugouts, stewards and police were also present. Seconds later the crowd dissipated and play resumed. Blades substitute Craig Beattie should have put the game to bed deep in stoppage time as he broke free but his lob landed on the roof of the net. An other excellent all-round performance from the Blades, and they now move up to 3rd in the Championship.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Barnsley: Kenny 8, Naughton 7, Morgan 8, Bromby 7, Naysmith 7, Halford 7, Montgomery 8, O'Toole 7, Cotterill 7, Lupoli 7, Ward 8, Henderson 8, Beattie -.

4th April Sheffield United celebrated Kevin Blackwell's manager of the month award with a comfortable 2-0 home success over Ipswich. Blackwell watched his in-form Blades secure a third successive Championship victory as Greg Halford opened the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt before Darius Henderson headed home a second. Owen Garvan missed Ipswich's best chance of the opening 45 minutes and Paddy Kenny denied Pim Balkestein with an impressive save late in the second half. On this evidence Jim Magilton's side lack the physical presence to trouble the genuine promotion contenders such as Blackwell's increasingly confident outfit, who have now been beaten only twice in their last 19 league matches. Blackwell made just one change from the side that despatched nine-man Cardiff 13 days ago, with striker Jamie Ward starting in place of John-Joe O'Toole. Alex Bruce, Garvan, Kevin Lisbie, Pim Balkestein and Veliche Shumulikoski were all drafted in for Ipswich, who introduced five new faces to their starting line-up. Ward flashed an early header wide for the Blades when he should have at least forced Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright to save, while former Blades midfielder Alan Quinn was off target with a free-kick for the visitors

4th April Sheffield United 2 Ipswich Town 0 (Attendance: 25,315)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon (Bromby 87), Naysmith, Naughton, Cotterill (Beattie 67), Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (O'Toole 75), Henderson, Ward.
Subs Not Used: Lupoli, Hendrie.

Booked: Bromby 90.

Scorers: Halford 19, Henderson 27.

Man of The Match: Greg Halford.

Ipswich Line-up: Richard Wright, Bruce, Balkestein, Campo (Volz 73), Thatcher, Norris (Haynes 55), Garvan, Shumulikoski, Quinn, Lisbie, Stead (Counago 54).
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Miller.

Booked: Quinn 48, Thatcher 90.

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham).

Goals from Greg Halford and Darius Henderson stretched United’s run to eight games unbeaten after a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
Kevin Blackwell recalled Jamie Ward to the starting eleven in a 4-4-2 formation. For Ipswich, Veliche Shumulikoski, Pim Balkestein and Alex Bruce returned.
Jon Stead and Alan Quinn were both making their first return to Bramall Lane, and it was Alan Quinn who had the first opening of the game, the Republic of Ireland international sending a free-kick well over after Gary Naysmith fouled David Norris. Chris Morgan had a header wide for Blades before United took the lead, Halford firing a screamer in from 25 yards on 18 minutes that left goalkeeper Richard Wright with no chance.
Ipswich were finding it difficult to make a chance of note, but did have a chance when Kevin Lisbie had an shot blocked after Alan Quinn released Norris in the box. United were completely dominating possession and added a second after ## minutes. A free-kick from Ward found Kyle Naughton and he clipped the ball into the box for Henderson into beat Wright with a perfectly-placed header into the corner of the net.
United carried on with some excellent passing football, using both flanks and were turning the game into a siege on the Ipswich goal. Blades striker Ward headed against the post, and then it needed a fantastic save from Wright to keep out David Cotterill's cross that was destined for the far corner. Owen Garvan went close to reducing the arrears five minutes before the break, finding the side netting after goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had spilt Lisbie's cross, with Quinn testing Kenny with a left foot shot then Stead getting on the end of Ben Thatcher's cross but to no avail.
The visitors were out for the start of the second-half a few minutes earlier than the Blades and were quick off the blocks with Lisbie finding space around the home penalty area but he couldn't capitalise. Ward dragged a shot wide on the break for United, Cotterill also going close before Alan Quinn was yellow carded for dissent.
Alex Bruce got in a block on Cotterill's shot after another long ball from Kenny into the Tractor Boys backline caused problems. Thatcher's wayward header sending Halford clear with Wright in the right place yet again to save from Henderson.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton made a double change after 53 minutes, Pablo Counago and Danny Haynes replacing Stead and Norris.  Defender Balkestein timed his challenge on the breaking Ward as the pacey lane striker threatened to get in on goal while at the other end Counago's awareness released Lisbie behind the home defence but not before the offside flag was raised. Counago and Alan Quinn then linked up but Morgan denied the Spaniard with a challenge on the edge of the box, Haynes then doing well to backtrack and cancel out the threat of Halford.

Ward should have made it three though midway through the second-half, robbing Shumulikoski but he fired wide from a great position. United then brought Craig Beattie in place of Cotterill for the last 20 minutes. Bruce headed over from a corner and Haynes pulling a shot wide as Ipswich looked for a way back into the game. Bruce switched into the middle of the defence with Ivan Campo making way and Moritz Volz joining the action, with John-Joe O'Toole on for Stephen Quinn for Blades.
United struggled to deal with Alan Quinn's cross before hacking the ball clear, Garvan's corner pushed away from danger by Kenny, Balkestein then having half a chance with a header before Matt Kilgallon, who took a heavy knock to his head moments earlier in goalmouth challenge at the Bramall Lane end, made way for Leigh Bromby.  In the final seconds, Kenny saved a Balkestein header from a corner. O'Toole and Thatcher both booked and Wright saved from Montgomery had found Henderson. So, a good all round performance which keeps the pressure on the top two in the Championship.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Ipswich: Kenny 7, Halford 8, Morgan 8, Kilgallon 7, Bromby -, Naysmith 6, Naughton 7, Cotterill 7, Beattie 6, Montgomery 8, Quinn 6, O'Toole 6, Henderson 8, Ward 7.