United U18s safely negotiated a tricky FA Youth cup-tie at Boundary Park on Monday night, although the single goal win was rough justice on the Oldham Athletic youngsters.

Grant Roberts fired the Blades into the fourth round proper of the FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON, after scoring the winner, a minute after replacing the injured Adam Yates.

Roberts reacted quickest just before the break to poke the ball home, aided by a wicked deflection which wrong-footed Bell in the Oldham goal.

Both sides started at a high tempo and it was United who look the most threatening when Chanot rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort, and Rhodes shot just over after a strong run down the right.

In the 20th minute the home side almost took the lead, when Edwards's overhead-kick was inches off-target, after Owen had knocked down Fitzgerald's corner.

Askham then tested Bell after a penetrating run and shot. Then a poor back pass let in Owen at the other end but Kang Ho Lee blocked the effort with his legs.

The Blades then took the lead on the stroke of half-time, ROBERTS was on hand to slot the ball in after Rhodes's angled shot had hit the goal frame.

The second-half began at a slow pace before Tahar warmed the palms of Bell from 20 yards out, then Rhodes thought he had doubled United's advantage, only for his strike to be disallowed for offside.

Oldham threw caution to the wind and Chambers drilled the ball across the box, but no-one was able to convert. Black then struck a fierce shot that went just over as the Blades held on to secure an away tie against either Wolves or Charlton in round four.

Coach Scott Sellars was pleased with the result, but paid tribute to the efforts of the home side and felt his team were slightly fortunate to gain the win:

"It was a tight game and we didn't hit the heights that we have done at times this season, although we looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

"Oldham were a good side and they put plenty of pressure on us towards the end, and probably deserved a draw. I was just glad we were able to nick a win to get us through to the next round."

Blades: Ho Lee, Walker, Reid, Booker, Chanot, Chapman, Askham, Tahar, Rhodes (Hague, 75), Boden, Yates (Roberts, 44)
Unused: Dempsey, Furniss, Smith