Kevin Blackwell recorded his first victory as United's manager after his side battled against an in-form Plymouth outfit and the elements in the west country.

Both teams had to contend with driving wind and rain at Home Park and James Beattie's second half header was the difference between the teams.

Paddy Kenny made a string of fine saves and United had to withstand some heavy pressure from the Pilgrims, who began the day in sixth position in the Championship.

Carney was brought in to replace Armstrong in Blackwell's only change for the daunting trip to Home Park, whilst the home side were unchanged after an impressive victory over Colchester in their last outing.

Plymouth and Blades fans, players and management united in a minute's emotional applause ahead of the kick-off as a tribute to former chairman Derek Dooley, who sadly passed away in midweek. He was, of course, respected throughout the footballing world.

It was quickly apparent that judging the wind would be a factor for both teams. Plymouth made the brighter start and Morgan and Speed combined to block the day's first shot, from Easter. Carney, meanwhile, attempted a couple of intrusive passes on his return to the team.

The wind was in Plymouth's favour in the first half and Kenny was alert to beat Halmosi in a race after the breeze caught out Geary. United's first chance arrived after 12 minutes when Tonge's pass enabled Cotterill to deliver a cross from the right and although Beattie was quicker than Timar, the striker could not add a true touch.

Plymouth attacked with numbers on 15 minutes and Abdou ignored options to his left and right before hitting a shot that was comfortable for Kenny. United won two corners in quick succession to force the home side back, whilst a Geary cross caused problems for McCormick, who was facing his own goal.

The Plymouth goalkeeper plucked a Carney free-kick out of the air from under his own crossbar, whilst Sharp was marginally called offside after a neat pass from strike partner Beattie.

The Blades were back in numbers to cover when Easter's cross beat Morgan but the visitors grew in confidence as the half went on and Anderson flicked off the head of Beattie from Geary's cross.

United went close on 38 minutes when referee Hall played on following a foul on Sharp. Carney laid off for Naysmith to swing in a cross and Speed won a header on the six-yard box which McCormick fumbled around his near post.

Halmosi's run on 42 minutes left Geary and Speed on their backsides but his cross was intercepted by Naysmith, although the Hungarian winger went very close a minute before the break. Teale's cross from the right found its way to the back post where Halmosi was ready to fire past Kenny but Morgan was ideally placed to hoof the ball off the line.

Despite just one visit from either physio, the officials found three minutes of added time at the end of the first period and just before the whistle Plymouth won a free-kick but MacLean's effort was headed clear by Kilgallon.

Early into the second half Plymouth were appealing for a penalty when Morgan and Timar clashed as Teale's free-kick came in, whilst the home side were soon finding similar wind problems to what United were experiencing in the first period.

There was a nervous moment as Kenny almost slipped over taking a hopeful ball forward and Morgan was brave to win a header at the back post as Halmosi swung in a free-kick on 51 minutes.

Driving rain was thrown into the mix early in the second half and the conditions were a factor when Plymouth went close on 56 minutes. Kilgallon was unable to cut out a pass from Nalis despite a slide and Kenny was forced to make a one-on-one from Easter.

Plymouth were clearly on top and that's one of the reasons why Home Park was stunned when United took the lead on 63 minutes. Speed saw that Cotterill was in space and the on-loan winger attacked Sawyer and delivered a cross, possibly deflected, which BEATTIE nodded home from close range in the centre of the goal.

Plymouth's response arrived three minutes later when Teale delivered a cross and Halmosi won a header. Fortunately, Kenny parried away and the ricochet flew wide of the target.

The home side used all of their substitutes in an attempt to get back into the game and it was obvious that United would have to withstand some strong pressure. On 76 minutes Anderson's shot took two deflections and Kenny made a tremendous fingertip save, diving full length to his left and Naysmith cleared up the loose ball.

Substitute Clark fired wide from long range and United crowded their own penalty area to prevent Plymouth equalising after Mackie began another move. Kilgallon and Naysmith both put their bodies on the line to block shots from Abdou.

Plymouth won a number of late free-kicks, whilst from a breakaway United almost added a second when Cotterill's shot was deflected but McCormick tipped over.

Cotterill was on the receiving end of an agricultural challenge from Sawyer which resulted in a melee and three yellow cards being shown.

Kenny's brilliance continued into the five minutes of added time and he saved from point-blank range from Mackie in a crowded penalty area which confirmed United's first away victory in the league since December.

Plymouth: McCormick, Connolly, Nalis (Fallon 75), Timar, Teale (Clark 68), MacLean, Halmosi, Sawyer, Anderson, Abdou, Easter (Mackie 65).
Unused: Wotton, Seip.

Blades: Kenny, Naysmith, Morgan, Beattie (Hulse 82), Cotterill, Carney (Gillespie 71), Speed, Kilgallon, Tonge, Sharp (Ehiogu 90), Geary.
Unused: Stead, Bennett.