United lost a pulsating game and the chance of a play-off place when they went down 3-2 at Southampton who by winning earned their own Championship survival.

Despite taking the lead though Quinn, and getting back on terms through Stead, the Blades lost out to a brace by Stern John and and a goal from Saganowski.

The home team's efforts to promote a crackling atmosphere was a colourful and noisy success when the sides emerged, despite the motive being to help their team avoid relegation, but the 3,500 Blades fans played their part in a sea of dayglow yellow shirts.

Understandably the start was frantic rather than measured and Viafara's attempted cross to John was far too strong in the first real attack, whilst goalkeeper Wright easily collected Sharp's similar effort aimed at Hulse.

After eight minutes two corners in quick succession saw United produce the first threat, but Hulse's shot on the turn was off target after Geary had done well to win a header. Sharp should have done better immediately but couldn't guide his own header towards goal from another centre from wide on the right.

The Saints threatened when Surman skipped past Geary's fully committed challenge and surged forward but Halls cleared up positively when the cross came in.

Midway through the half the home side stepped up the pace and forced the Blades back, using the tricky Surman down the left to spring most of their attacks. Another link between him and Euell required Geary to make a last ditch intervention in a spell that had the home support baying their encouragement.

But they were shocked in the 23rd minute as United broke and took the lead in devastatingly simple fashion. Sharp's ball in from the right was flighted over the covering defenders and met perfectly by the head of QUINN which sent the ball back across Wright with precision.

But Southampton immediately responded, forcing Kenny into a splendid tip over from a free-kick by Idiakez, and then Halls into a hurried clearance over his own crossbar.

United were soaking up pressure but it was taking some desperate defending at times in their packed penalty-area, and it was no surprise to see Gillespie being summoned to warm-up.

The danger down the Saints left opened up United yet again with Surman slipping Saganowski into the clear and Kenny needed to be off his line like lightning to spread himself and block the shot.

Gillespie duly replaced Cotterill in a clear move to stem the danger that was perpetually occurring in front of Geary.

At last the Blades saw a bit of possession around the home goal and they came so close to increasing their lead. Quinn forced a corner off Jermaine Wright and when Tonge swung it in Kilgallon met the ball powerfully with his head but it was somehow blocked on the line in a blur of bodies and bounced out.

The significance of the let-off was instantly apparent because the Saints swept downfield and levelled, and again it originated on United's right flank.

John's cross hit a defender, looped up to the far post and SAGANOWSKI dived in bravely to head inside the far post just before Kenny could intervene in the 42nd minute.

At half-time the play-off positions were still far from being resolved and United needed to win the second-half but Euell was first to find space and floated a header over the top.

And play-off hopes began to recede after 53 minutes when they slipped behind. Saganowski hooked the ball over the defence and JOHN - in real space - lashed it beyond Kenny into the top left hand corner of the net.

Southampton's relief was palpable but they had made most of the running in the game and a booking for the goalscorer because of his celebration didn't dampen their joy.

Tonge flashed a header narrowly over the top before Sharp's industry was sacrificed for the pace and unpredictability of Shelton.

Naysmith's tackle prevented Saganowski from increasing the lead and Powell headed over as the Saints turned the screw and United looked ragged.

Hulse gave way to Stead but Speed clattered Idiakez and picked up a caution despite extended discussions with the referee.

Suddenly the mood swung again as United grabbed an equaliser in the 65th minute. Shelton was involved and when Quinn played the ball in STEAD got a vital touch past the goalkeeper to set Blades fans singing again.

There was barely time for Shelton to be booked for a challenge on Idiakez before JOHN, again finding space in the heart of the area, shot low past the stranded Kenny in the 69th minute to put the relegation strugglers 3-2 ahead.

There was clearly bad blood between Speed and Idiakez who were both spoken to by referee Joslin but the Welshman then climbed brilliantly to head Tonge's corner just off target

Idiakez was immediately withdrawn but a late challenge on Geary with ten minutes remaining cost John a sending-off for two bookings.

With the home team down to ten men and sitting on a result that would secure their survival United had plenty of possession but couldn't find a way of creating a chance.

Through three deafening minutes of time added on Southampton repelled the Blades onslaught without Wright being threatened, and when Geary conceded a corner the game was up for play-off ambitions.

The pitch and home players were immediately engulfed by thousands of delirious home supporters for whom survival seemed like promotion.

Southampton: Wright R; Wright J, Powell, Perry, Surman, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez (Licka 78), Euell, Saganowski (Lallana 72), John.
Unused: Davis, Pericard, Wright-Phillips.

United: Kenny; Geary, Halls, Kilgallon, Naysmith; Cotterill (Gillespie 37), Speed, Tonge, Quinn S: Hulse (Stead 62), Sharp (Shelton 56).
Unused: Bennett, Armstrong