30th December United have agreed a deal to sign Plymouth Argyle defender Marcel Seip on loan until the end of the season. Seip has been on the transfer list at Home Park since a bust-up with former manager Paul Sturrock during the early weeks of the season. He subsequently spent two months on loan at Blackpool and scored for Ian Holloway's side in a 3-0 victory over the Blades. The Dutchman will now move to Bramall Lane on New Year's Day and will be eligible for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie against Queens Park Rangers. The 27-year-old will initially stay with the Blades until May 2, but that deal can be extended if the club reach the Championship play-offs. Blades boss Kevin Blackwell has been looking to improve his defensive options after loan duo Andrew Davies and Toni Kallio returned to parent clubs Stoke City and Fulham respectively. Davies is still a target for Blackwell, while Seip's signing could further fuel rumours that Matthew Kigallon will be sold during the January transfer window.

28th December Sheffield United 1 Preston North End 0 (Attendance: 25,231)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Geary, Stewart, Morgan, Kilgallon, Montgomery, Quinn (Wiliamson 72), Cresswell, Ward (Taylor 90), Evans, Camara (Little 75).

Subs Not Used: France, Naysmith, Reid, Bennett.

Booked: Ward 90.

Scorer: Ward 86.

Man of The Match: Matt Kilgallon.

Preston Line-up: Lonergan, Davidson (Mellor 89), Chaplow, Collins, Sedgwick, St Ledger, Parry (Shumulikoski 59), Tonge, Jones, Parkin (Brown 45), Elliott.

Subs Not Used: Carter, Chilvers, Henderson, Nolan.

Booked: Parkin 24.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland) injured and replaced by Nigel Murphy (Nottinghamshire) after 25 minutes.

Jamie Ward struck an 86th-minute winner to hand promotion-chasing Sheffield United a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Championship rivals Preston.
Derek Geary made his first start for almost 18 months as one of three changes to the starting line-up. Ched Evans was back and Henri Camera made a rare start in a 4-4-2 formation. Ward and Richard Cresswell were on the flanks and Geary in his right back position. Mark Bunn continued in goal in the final game before his loan spell from Blackburn ended.
The Lillywhites welcomed Sean St Ledger back to the defence in place Liam Chilvers. Ross Wallace missed the match through suspension, so Chris Sedgwick was on the right wing and Michael Tonge in midfield with Richard Chaplow. Stephen Elliott and Jon Parkin started together up front as Preston lined up with a 4-4-2 formation.
The visitors got the game underway on a freezing afternoon, but it was the Blades that threatened first. In the first minute, Camera had a shot blocked by Billy Jones then Jordan Stewart crossed, which was well cleared by Neil Collins and a Stephen Quinn's free-kick was blocked by by Tonge.
The rest of the opening ten minutes did not offer much in terms of chances, a great chance for United finally came after 11 minutes. Camara nodded a ball across goal towards Quinn, whose powerful shot was brilliantly blocked by Collins twelve yards from goal.
The Blades began to increase the pressure as the first half went on, although the visitors defence was coping well with everything Kevin Blackwells’ men could throw at them. After 17 minutes, , Ward was played in down the right by Camara, his right footed cross was cut out by Chaplow, who went on the get the vital touch on the following corner ahead of Chris Morgan.
Then Cresswell picked out Camera in the box, and the striker wasted the chance to put United ahead when he fired woefully wide of goalkeeper Andy Lonergan's left hand post. The referee Mr  Kettle who was not the most popular individual on the field limped off injured moments after booking Parkin for a hefty challenge on Geary which flattened the Irish full-back, and the fourth official Mr. N. Murphy took over in the middle.
As the clock passed the half hour mark there had been few chances of note, just a couple of tight offside decisions against Parkin and Chaplow for Preston. In truth United were on top in terms of possession up to this point, but they were not really causing the Preston back line anything they could not handle.
Stephen Elliott delivered a dangerous cross in for the visitors, which was put out for a corner by Nick Montgomery as Parkin looked to pounce from 20 yards out. With five minutes in the half remaining a good break down the right side saw a Geary cross which was met by Evans with a volley which went into the arms of Lonergan. Then a ball from Geary went over the defence put Camara in the clear, but the striker ballooned his shot high into the stand from the right hand side of the box. The fourth official turned referee played six minutes of stoppage time as the half finished goalless. The defences of both sides were on top though despite the Blades enjoying the best of the half possession. There was an ironic cheer from the Blades fans when it was announced that Parkin would not be coming out for the second half. The ‘Beast’ as he is known to the Preston fans had been lucky to stay on in the first half after several over the top challenges which had gone unpunished. His replacement at the start of the second half was fellow striker Chris Brown. Despite the change it was United that had the first meaningful attack of the half again. After some good defending from Parry and Tonge down in the corner for the visitors, the ball broke to Ward in the box, who cut it back across the six yard box and the keeper again collected at the feet of the Blades strikers.
With six minutes of the second half elapsed the Lillywhites had a chance. Substitute Brown on the left made some neat touches and then released Elliott down the wing, who curled a ball into the box for Chaplow, but he could not quite reach it as Preston countered attacked for the opening goal.
Then Preston manager Alan Irvine introduced Veliche Shumulikoski to the fray at the expense of Parry meaning Tonge would move wide left as the Lilywhites shuffled their pack. Brown’s introduction added fresh impetus to the Preston side and the big striker managed to knock a long ball down into Tonge's path, but United goalkeeper Bunn was well placed to gratefully gather his weak shot.
The Lilywhites were now enjoying their best spell of the match, playing with more confidence and purpose. This was epitomised just after the hour mark when the bald headed Chaplow made a run down the left, forcing Morgan to step in and concede a corner.  The Lane faithful were getting a restless and Ward and Creswell switched wings for a time.  The United boss then made a substitution with Lee Williamson replacing the hard working Quinn.
With seventeen minutes remaining a United free kick from the right was swung into the far post were Evans headed it back to Cresswell, and his header looked to have beaten Lonergan but St. Ledger was at hand to thwart the Blades again. And just a minute later Camera, who had been hit and miss all afternoon was replaced by Glen Little. Then Preston captain Callum Davidson swing in a ball into the box with three minutes remaining which found Elliott with his back to goal, and the striker flicked his header towards goal, but with Bunn scrambling to get back and it looped just over the bar.
Then United had a great chance when Little found Ward on the right of the penalty area but he pulled his shot wide. And just when it seemed that we could be here until midnight without a goal, Stewart was fouled by Sedgwick just to the left of the Preston 18 yard box in front of the John Street Stand. Ward then took the free kick and it was one of those that evaded everybody and somehow ended up in the far corner.
It was impossible to see who, if anyone got the final touch, but Lonergan and Morgan were down injured for a while after a clash with the post with the Linesman standing on the pitch and a bunch of Preston players surrounding the beleaguered referee arguing about offside which resulted in Collins getting booked. Preston boss Irvine brought on Neil Mellor for Davidson with his last substitution and last throw of the dice.
The visitors who had been concentrating on keeping it tight all afternoon pushed forward with haste and Brown had perhaps the best late chance of an equaliser in the final minute, volleying at keeper Bunn. United's defence defended well and frustrated the opposition by getting players behind the ball. Despite a few nervous injury time moments United held on for a workmanlike if somewhat unconvincing victory.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Preston.: Bunn 6, Geary 7, Stewart 6, Morgan 7, Kilgallon 8, Montgomery 6, Quinn 7, Wiliamson 6, Cresswell 6, Ward 7, Taylor -, Evans 6, Camara 6, Little 6.

26th December Leicester City 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 23,999)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Montgomery (Evans 74), Morgan, Kilgallon, Harper, Taylor (Camara 45), Cresswell, Ward, Stewart, Quinn, Walker (Geary 49)

Subs Not Used: Bennett, France, Reid, Little.

Scorer: Cresswell 8.

Man of The Match: Mark Bunn.

Leicester City Line-up: Weale, Neilson, McGivern, Morrison, Oakley, Howard, King, Dyer (Gallagher 90), Fryatt, Wellens, Hobbs (O'Neill 45).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Berner, Adams, N'Guessan, Kermorgant.

Scorers: Morrison 26 Fryatt 35 (pen).

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Sheffield United finally lost their seven matches unbeaten run after a 1-2 defeat at Leicester City. Kevin Blackwell was forced into one change following Fulham's recall of defender Toni Kallio, Andy Taylor took over in the left-back role. Richard Cresswell again led the front line alone, supported from the flanks by Jamie Ward and Jordan Stewart.  The Foxes made two changes with Robbie Neilson returning at right-back for Wayne Brown. Michael Morrison moved across to partner Jack Hobbs in central defence while Ryan McGivern replaced Bruno Berner.
The home side had an early scare when Jack Hobbs went down injured inside the first minute but he was fit to continue after treatment. The Blades had a chance after a free-kick had been well cleared; a header from another one was headed wide by Kyle Walker. Hobbs then cleared in the nick of time as the Blades threatened again. Then at the other end, a cross-field run by Lloyd Dyer ended with a shot just wide then in a series of Leicester corners, a Steve Howard header was deflected then saved.
United had started composed but Leicester went ahead after the Blades conceded a corner. Michael Morrison’s shot was tipped over for a corner from which the defender was not to be denied as he headed home the opener in the 25th minute.
The home side then went forward again with Richie Wellens finding Robbie Neilson on the right for a cross gathered by United goalkeeper Mark Bunn. Then in the 33rd minute, the Foxes stretched their lead when Matty Fryatt cut in from the right wing, Nick Montgomery stuck out a leg and the Foxes striker latterly let himself fall over it for a penalty. Fryatt dusted himself down and converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 for the home side.
Three minutes of injury-time at the end of the first period saw United win a free-kick in a dangerous position and two attacking throw-ins, which came to nothing, whilst before the break the woodwork came to the visiting side's rescue as a half-volley from Wellens came back off the crossbar.
A change had to be made at the break for a more attacking formation and Henri Camara replaced Taylor with Stewart moving to left-back, Stephen Quinn to left midfield and Camara joined Cresswell in up front. Leicester also made a change with Luke O'Neill coming on for Hobbs whose early injury had taken its toll.

The change for the Blades soon brought a way back. Ward cross from the left was allowed to reach the back post, Quinn delivered into the middle and after Morrison sent the ball backwards, Camara was the first to react, turning and slipping the ball under Foxes goalkeeper Chris Weale and over the line before O'Neill attempted to clear.
Derek Geary was needed to replace the injured Kyle Walker after  49 minutes but United started the second half with a fresh impetus and went close to a leveller soon after. Montgomery's cross from the right saw Ward feed Camara and the substitute was allowed the time to shift the ball onto his left foot, but his shot could only find the side-netting.
The home side, however, rode out the initial spell of pressure and hit back with a chance when Lloyd Dyer had a shot which was deflected then gathered by Bunn, the winger later seeing another shot saved with Matt Oakley's follow-up just eluding Howard.
Next, Oakley set up Howard for a fine shot brilliantly saved by Bunn who did likewise from Fryatt moments later, Howard steering the rebound over before play switched to the other end and a shot from Ward was  saved by Foxes keeper Weale.
The home side were under pressure though and a Chris Morgan header came so close as the game entered its closing stages, Blades substitute Ched Evans also having a shot well saved by Weale and then another Evans shot hit Cresswell as the two strikers went for the same ball. The Blades continued to push forward, searching for an equaliser, but the home side's defence remained sturdy and held on ending United’s seven game unbeaten run.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Leicester City.: Bunn 7, Montgomery 6, Evans 6, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 7, Harper 6, Taylor 6, Camara 7, Cresswell 6, Ward 6, Stewart 6, Quinn 7, Walker 6, Geary 6.

19th December Queens Park Rangers 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 12,639)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Kilgallon, Walker, Morgan, Kallio, J. Stewart, Harper, Montgomery, Quinn, Ward, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: France, Evans, Reid, Bennett, Little, Geary, Camara.

Booked: Montgomery 52, Morgan 89, Bunn 90.

Scorer: Cresswell 8.

Man of The Match: Stephen Quinn. see bottom of page.

Q.P.R. Line-up: Cerny, Ramage, D. Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Agyemang, Gorkss, Watson, Williams, Simpson (Vine 68), Taarabt.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Hall, Pellicori, Faurlin, Balanta, Parker.

Booked: Stewart 32.

Scorer: Leigertwood 2.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

United continued their good run with a useful 1-1 draw against Q.P.R. at Loftus Road.  Manager Kevin Blackwell made three changes, bringing in Toni Kallio, Nick Montgomery and Jordan Stewart. The Blades lined up with a 4-5-1 formation with Richard Cresswell the frontman. Rangers manager Paul Hart named an unchanged side Which included Ben Watson and Mikele Leigertwood in the centre of midfield. Adel Taarabt was up front alongside Patrick Agyemang.
On a freezing afternoon in West London, the R's didn't waste anytime as they went on the offensive from the start and they went ahead after just two minutes. Agyemang squared for Jay Simpson on the edge of the area, and the Arsenal loanee cut in and shot before his effort was deflected away for a corner. From the resulting set piece, another loan player Ben Watson's centred and it was cleared only as far as Leigertwood on the edge of the area and lashed the ball in past goalkeeper Mark Bunn to put Rangers into an early lead.
It was an end-to-end spectacle, exemplified when the Blades went up the other end just six minutes later and levelled the scores. After beating his marker down the left, defender Kallio squared for Cresswell six-yards out, and the Lane striker made no mistake from close range to blast the ball home past R’s goalkeeper Radek Černý.
The game was end to end and the home side had another opportunity when  Watson corner caused trouble, as he played a short pass to Taarabt on the edge of the penalty box and he unleashing a low drive at goal, though it wasn't enough to trouble Bunn as it went just wide of his right-hand post.
Moments later, Leigertwood received the ball midway into the United half before driving at the Blades defence, only to see his shot sail wide of the goal. Taarabt then found space just outside the area before playing a reverse through pass to Wayne Routledge, but Bunn did brilliantly well to slide and claim the ball at his feet. At the other end, Stephen Quinn shot just wide after Montgomery had robbed Taarabt
Then the R’s had a chance when Peter Ramage played a neat pass to Taarabt before the he let fly with a thundering effort from fully 30-yards out which sailed high and wide of the target. On the stroke of the break, United should have taken a lead when a Quinn cross from the right fell for Jamie Ward to hit from 12-yards out, but he could only drag his volley wide of the target.

The second half started with some scrappy play, but the home side began to take control when Montgomery brought down Taarabt on the edge of the area. The Moroccan midfielder then firing in an effort on target from the resulting free-kick, but the shot was blocked away to safety.
Soon after, Gorkss passed the ball on midway to Agyemang before the R's striker ran ath the Blades defence and crossed for Simpson, who sliced his volley wide when free on the right-hand side of the area.
The game, at this stage, was mostly being played in the Blades half at this stage. The home supporters shouted for a penalty claim when of Simpson went down under a Chris Morgan challenge but the referee was unconvinced and waived play to continue.
As the half wore on, United began to come back into the game. Ward squared the ball from the right byline for James Haprer, but he fired over the crossbar. The R's then had their best opportunity to add a second. A corner from Watson looked certain to find the head of Gorkss from close-range, but he misjudged the flight of the ball as it went out of play. Taarabt and Agyemang combined well and the latter touched the ball back to Watson 20-yards out, though he could only pull his shot wide of the goal.
The home side continued to press and Taarabt's header hit the bar late on, but United defender resolutely to hold on for a valuable point.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Q.P.R.: Bunn 6, Kilgallon 7, Walker 7, Morgan 7, Kallio 7, J. Stewart 6, Harper 6, Montgomery 6, Quinn 7, Ward 7, Cresswell 6.

12th December Sheffield United 2 Crystal Palace 0 (Attendance: 25,510)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Taylor, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Harper, Williamson, Quinn, Ward (Camara 87), Evans (Stewart 80), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, France, Reid, Little, Kallio.

Booked: Morgan 35.

Scorers: Williamson 21, Quinn 90.

Man of The Match: Lee Williamson.

Palace Line-up: Speroni, Hill, Derry, Fonte, Ambrose (Scannell 45), Danns, Moses, Lee, Butterfield (Clyne 55), Ertl (Sears 66), Davis.

Subs Not Used: Carle, Andrew, Smith, N'Diaye.

Booked: Derry 37, Ertl 45, Danns 60, Hill 70.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Sheffield United beat Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace side 2-0 at Bramall Lane in the Blades best home performance for a while, which means United are now unbeaten in six games and are closing in on the play-off positions.
Lee Williamson returned to United's starting line-up in place of the suspended Nick Montgomery. The Eagles manager made two changes with Alan Lee and Claude Davis came into the starting eleven.
The best of the early chances saw Ched Evans have a close range shot deflected out by Danny Butterfield for a corner. At the other end on 13 minutes a Jose Fonte shot was saved low down by Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn.
The breakthrough came for United on 21 minutes when Stephen Quinn picked up the ball on the right hand side and his cross was converted into the net by Williamson even though Davis made a last ditch effort to clear off the line.
This was a period of the game where the Blades enjoyed the majority of possession and Evans was having his best match for a while and he had a couple of opportunities, one blocked by Victor Moses for a corner and another saved by Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni. 
Palace had a chance from distance to get back in the game with a free kick outside the box but Darren Ambrose saw his well struck set piece go just over the goal without troubling Bunn.
A free kick at the other end, for a foul which earned midfield man Shaun Derry a yellow card, was taken by Jamie Ward for United and it fell to Williamson in the box but he volleyed over the bar. No further chances in the half as that Williamson effort separated the two sides at the interval.
Palace came out without leading scorer Ambrose who had been replaced by Irish striker Sean Scannell. The first chance of the second half arrived after 52 minutes had elapased. Midfielder Quinn crossing from the left and the ball found its way through to Evans who was unable to get his shot on target.
A further change was needed by Palace a minute later as an injury to Butterfield meant that he had to be replaced by Nathaniel Clyne and just after the 60 minute mark, the visitors made another substitution when Freddie Sears came on for Johannes Ertl.
There was a controversial incident soon after when Ward crossed in front of the Shoreham Kop and Lee Hills clearly handled the ball and everyone on the Kop raised their arms. Unfortunately the linesman in front of the South Stand completely missed it and the game continued. The linesman was heckled for the rest of the match.
Kyle Walker made a storming run down the wing and shot over the bar from 18 yards out whilst Moses got the better of his man inside the box but shot over the bar.
Soon after Neil Danns tried from distance but his effort went wide of Bunn's left hand post. But these were rare attacks from the visitors, most of the better football and pressing came from United and they were playing some attractive football. With ten minutes remaining Evans was replaced to rapturous applause from the Lane faithful to be replaced by Stewart. Minutes later, Harper's shot was blocked after defender Hill was nut-megged by Ward and had a shot saved by Speroni. United continued the pressure and Ward drilled a shot just wide. In the final minutes Henri Camera replaced Ward and he received an ovation for his hard work.
The second goal came in the final minute when Richard Cresswell had some space. He set up Camera and he stepped over the ball and Quinn fired beyond Speroni's left hand post from close range and into the bottom corner of the net to confirm all three points for the Blades. So while the other side in Sheffield continues to woefully drop down to where they belong - fighting relegation, the Blades are on their way back up to join the promotion race. Indeed, Happy days this weekend! Up The Blades!

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Palace: Bunn 7, Taylor 7, Walker 7, Morgan 7, Kilgallon 7, Harper7, Williamson 8, Quinn 8, Ward 7, Camara -, Evans 8, Stewart 6, Cresswell 7.

8th December Sheffield United 0 Nottingham Forest 0 (Attendance: 26,490)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Taylor, Walker, C. Morgan, Kilgallon, Montgomery, Harper, Quinn (Stewart 86), Ward, Evans (Camara 62), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, France, Williamson, Little, Geary.

Booked: Montgomery 87, Kilgallon 89.

Man of The Match: Mathew Kilgallon.

Forest Line-up: Camp, Shorey, Chambers, W. Morgan, Wilson, Anderson (McCleary 60), Earnshaw (Tyson 84), Cohen, Gunter, McKenna, Blackstock (Adebola 74).

Subs Not Used: McGugan, McGoldrick, Smith, Majewski.

Booked: Cohan 71.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Sheffield United were unable to break down Nottingham Forest after a second half assault and the game ending 0-0.
With Carl Ikeme sidelined by a calf problem, United boss Kevin Blackwell handed a recall to Mark Bunn in goal. Ched Evans also returned to the Blades line-up in place of Lee Williamson, while Andy Taylor came in for Toni Kallio, who sustained an injury prior to the game.
Forest made just one change following their 5-1 demolition of Leicester City at the weekend, with Luke Chambers replacing Radoslaw Majewski.
United's on-loan forward Richard Cresswell saw a snapshot fly wide inside the first minute. At the other end, Dexter Blackstock headed wide from Chris Cohen's floated free-kick, while Paul McKenna curled a tame shot straight at Bunn from 25 yards.
With clear-cut chances at a premium, Evans tried his luck with an audacious 40-yard lob in the 22nd minute, but Camp gathered with ease. Remarkably, Evans ambitious effort proved to be the final attempt on target before the interval.
The dismal standard of play clearly frustrated the vocal home support and their mood was hardly improved shortly before the break when the referee waved away appeals for a penalty after Evans appeared to have his shirt pulled in the area.
Goalmouth action remained scarce in the opening stages of the second period as both sides continued to struggle in the final third.
Blades goalkeeper Bunn was finally called into action on the hour mark to tip away a left-footed shot from Robert Earnshaw, although the officials bizarrely awarded a goal kick instead of a corner. Seconds later, United's Jamie Ward saw a close-range header parried away by Camp before Nick Montgomery's powerful follow-up thundered into the chest of Cresswell, who was duly flagged offside.
Camp made another reaction stop to deny Stephen Quinn in the 68th minute after the midfielder had stretched to get a toe-end on James Harper's lofted through ball. And Forest's goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out a drilled effort from Blades substitute Henri Camara five minutes later as the game finally sparked into life. Earnshaw saw a goalbound effort blocked by Chris Morgan before a swift United counter attack ended with Camp making a fine double save with his feet to deny Camara and Quinn. Camp once again came to Forest's rescue in the 78th minute, keeping out a weak effort from Matt Kilgallon after the centre-half had been played clear through on goal.

A MORE DETAILED REPORT WILL BE ADDED LATER

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Forest: Bunn 7, Taylor 6, Walker 6, Morgan 7, Kilgallon 7, Montgomery 7, Harper 6, Quinn 7, Stewart -, Ward 6, Evans 6 , Camara 6, Cresswell 7.

5th December Kevin Blackwell said United were 'resilient and focussed' as they beat Plymouth at Home Park, while Paul Sturrock was again cursing a late decider. Blackwell was full of praise for his tenacious Blades as they completed a West Country double in miserable conditions - a week after winning at Bristol City. It was on-loan midfielder James Harper who scored the 88th minute winner from 25 yards as Argyle scrambled away Jamie Ward's corner from the left. Harper had forced the corner with a stinging strike that home goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was forced to acrobatically push around the post. Delighted United boss Blackwell said after the 1-0 win: "We knew it was going to be a tough game. We had to be resilient, strong and focused and I am delighted that we showed those qualities really. "The defence was superb. The conditions out there were not conducive to good football, it was raining and the wind was howling all over the place. "It makes it difficult. That's why teams don't like coming down here because you have to keep going and stay focused. It's important. "We were putting them under good pressure towards the end and in the end we deserved to nick it but I would not have been unhappy with the draw. It was a great strike by James."

5th December Plymouth Argyle 0 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 9,231)

Blades Line-up: Ikeme, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Kallio, Montgomery, Harper, Quinn, Ward, Williamson (Evans 67), Cresswell (Stewart 85).

Subs Not Used: France, Naysmith, Geary, Taylor, Little.

Scorers: Harper 88.

Booked: Montgomery 33, Williamson 63, Evans 90+5.

Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.

Plymouth Argyle Line-up: Larrieu, Gray, Árnason, Lowry, Sawyer (Gow 90), Mason (Noone 65), Duguid, Fletcher, Judge; Barnes (Sheridan 86), Fallon.

Subs Not Used: Letheren, Blake, Johnson, Folly.

Booked: Lowry 28, Sawyer 58.

Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).

James Harper's late strike completed a 1-0 smash-and-grab raid for Sheffield United as they collected maximum points from their last three matches.

The Blades made just two changes from the side that beat Bristol City 3-2 in the dying minutes of injury time at Ashton Gate. Hat-trick hero Darius Henderson was ruled out through injury, giving way to Richard Cresswell, as was centre-half Andrew Davies, who was replaced by debutant Finnish defender Toni Kallio. Kevin Blackwell’s side lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Lee Williamson the most advanced of the midfield players.
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock made several changes to his side. Former youth team striker Joe Mason was called into the starting line-up as was David Gray at the expense of Darcy Blake. Kari Arnason replaced Krisztian Timar and striker Ashley Barnes was preferred to Alan Gow in a 4-4-2 formation.
United came into the game as the form team following back-to-back wins over Bristol City and Peterborough, but it was Plymouth who made all the early running. And had it not been for some early heroics from goalkeeper Carl Ikeme they would have gained reward for their industry when Rory Fallon got off the Pilgrims first meaningful chance, combining with his cross-providing mate Gary Sawyer to loop a header towards goal. Ikeme dealt with it easily but that pressure set the tone and lead to Mason's first competitive effort trickling just wide from a Duguid header.
The absence of Henderson, missing with a thigh complaint, clearly hampered the Blades, who looked woefully short of ideas going forward, while Argyle were enjoying the majority of possession in the final third but failed to create a valid goal-scoring opportunity. The closest they came was just before the 20-minute mark when Alan Judge combined with Carl Fletcher and then Barnes to burst into the area but just as he was about to unleash, he lost the ball under his feet to Matt Kilgallon.
United were barely threatening and had not really goalkeeper Romain Larrieu as the game passed the half-hour mark, unable to keep possession for any length of time and the home side continued to dominate play. It was not until the 42 minute before United registered a shot on goal of any description, and even then Nick Montgomery's distance effort was blocked by defender Gary Sawyer.
Montgomery's frustration was compounded even further by a rash booking prior to the break as he was cautioned for a clumsy challenge on Alan Judge.
Whatever was said by Blades boss Blackwell at the interval, however, clearly did the trick and 10 minutes after the restart they came within the width of a post of taking the lead as Montgomery again took aim from distance, only to see his 25-yarder cannon back off the woodwork.
And at the other end, Barnes almost punished a poor United back pass before Mason just failed to get on the end of Gary Sawyer's cross. Judge was the next to go close, when his curling effort dipped just too late and ended up on the roof of the net.
The Blades were playing with the wind and rain in their favour, but United's in ability to hold the ball and pas was causing much frustration for the 700 travelling Unitedites. Plymouth on the other had were having no such problems and has another chance when Icelandic midfielder Arnason should have done better after lifting the ball over the crossbar after Judge's corner dropped to him in the box.
Finally, United were starting to assert some pressure and in an effort to capitalise they sent on Ched Evans for Lee Williamson with 24 minutes left. United keeper Ikeme halted play for a few minutes with an injury. He was forced to play simply because United did not have a substitute goalkeeper of the bench.
At the other end, Judge curled an effort over the crossbar while Fallon continued to cause problems with his willingness to put himself about. The introduction of Craig Noone on the hour had helped he home side's attacking creativity and it was his cross that led to Carl Fletcher becoming the second Pilgrim to be denied by the woodwork, when his thunderous 25 yard strike cannoning off the bar.
But then, against the run of play, United took the lead. When Harper's first strike was palmed wide by Larrieu, it looked as though the danger had passed but from the resulting corner, Harper received the ball in around the same area and this time made no mistake, thundering his shot down low under the big Frenchman to snatch the points. United did not look good today but they won and that’s all that really matters away from home.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Plymouth Argyle: Ikeme 7, Walker 7, Kilgallon 7, Morgan 7, Kallio 7, Montgomery 7, Harper 7, Quinn 6, Ward 6, Williamson 6, Evans 6, Cresswell 6, Stewart -