Paul Shaw, a former Rotherham loanee, scored the only goal of the game as United ended their winless run in the South Yorkshire derby.

The Blades picked up their first win in eight matches thanks to Shaw's goal just after the break.

In a less than memorable game, Steven Kabba made a surprise return from injury, Rob Kozluk chalked up his first Blades appearance of the season, whilst there were also debuts for Tommy Johnson and goalkeeper Phil Barnes.

With five changes, the Blades naturally took time to settle into their game plan and Rotherham took advantage to make the better start. McLaren fired a free-kick from 20-yards well over on three minutes and then Hoskins, although flagged offside, wriggled free after Barker's throw had been flicked on.

Rotherham also went close after United made a mess of their own corner. Kozluk appeared to have cleared up the danger but a short back pass forced Barnes to rush off his line and clear, despite being under pressure from Butler.

Two half chances for the home side saw Shaw's effort blocked by Gilchrist and Tonge's header from Kozluk's cross rest on the top of the goal.

Barnes had to wait until the 14th minute before making his first save at senior level for United. A shot from Hoskins, following a quick free-kick, was easy for the well-placed goalkeeper but it would have settled any nerves he may have had, playing against his former team.

Morgan recovered from an injury on 22 minutes and soon afterwards United worked their best opportunity. Tonge caused problems down the left and his cross found Shaw, whose first time shot shaved the outside of Pollitt's post before rolling to safety.

Another break down the left saw Rotherham half clear and the ball drop to a free Jagielka on the edge of the box but he snatched his shot wide as the number of chances slowed as the half wore on.

Referee Taylor, who booked three in the first half, decided on three minutes of injury-time, but he waited until Bromby had unleashed one of his long throws before blowing up for the break.

Warnock resisted the urge to make changes at the break and with vocal support from the crowd an early move down the right was encouraging, whilst Quinn fired over the bar from 20 yards.

The early optimism proved to be fruitful as United took the lead with their next move on 51 minutes. Jagielka's hopeful header forward ricocheted between SHAW and Gilchrist and fell fortuitously for the Blades striker to steady himself before sliding the ball past the advancing Pollitt.

A shot from Hoskins hit the backside of partner Butler as Rotherham looked for a quick response, whilst Quinn's enterprising run down the left ended with a cross that just evaded Shaw.

With a quarter of the match left, Warnock threw on Liddell and Beckett with the latter almost scoring with his first touch. Harley swung in a free-kick and after Tonge's header had come back off the bar Beckett's header was saved by Pollitt on the line.

The away side's best chances were falling to youngster Hoskins, but on 69 minutes his goalbound shot was blocked by Kozluk.

United's crowd were boosted 15 minutes from time when Warnock introduced Kabba for the first time this season. The injury-plagued striker received a rapturous welcome.

The crowd were on their feet when Jagielka played in Kabba down the right channel on 83 minutes but Pollitt saved with his feet and it was the Blades that finished the stronger.

The referee found four more minutes of injury-time and United created two more chances in an attempt to kill off the game. Liddell shot towards the near post but Pollitt saved and the Rotherham goalkeeper also kept out Kabba yet again after a late breakaway.

Blades: Barnes, Kozluk, Harley, Bromby, Morgan, Jagielka, Quinn, Tonge, Johnson (Liddell 67), Gray (Beckett 67), Shaw (Kabba 75). Unused: Montgomery, Geary.
Millers: Pollitt, Barker, Hurst, Gilchrist, Swailes (Minto 40), Vernazza, McLaren, Campbell-Ryce, Monkhouse, Butler, Hoskins. Unused: Garner, Mullin, Warne, G. Montgomery.