Kevin Blackwell's play-off dream was maintained on Saturday and, for the second fixture running, he passed all the credit on to his players:

"What a fantastic effort by the boys given all the circumstances surrounding the game in which they have had to show all their character."

With Beattie withdrawn after two minutes, Ehiogu after twenty five and then Lee Martin at the break, the Blades' planning was continually disrupted:

"It was a terrific result, more so because we had to make so many changes to key players during the match. I was a bit disappointed with the lads in the first half, we started slowly and didn't get at it like we know we can.

"There was pressure on both sides and to be fair to Bristol they had a go at us and probably deserved to go ahead. But we got through to the break without making it worse, despite losing Ugo which forced another change, and then regrouped.

"We had another problem then because Lee Martin had to stay off and that changed things again. But whichever players I bring in they - and the team - are showing courage and conviction, whatever cliché you want to use."

With City desperate for the win that would re-ignite their automatic promotion hopes, the visitors posed a strong challenge and United were forced to show resilience in all aspects of the game. It was a challenge that the United boss reckoned they passed with flying colours:

"You only had to look at little Derek Geary at about five foot four challenging Enoch Showunmi at six foot seven, and telling me that he wanted to take him on!

"That's the sort of determination that has enabled us to win games when things might have gone against us, the ability to come through against the odds

"I have been saying for weeks that there is something special about this place at the moment but people are beginning to believe it.

"It is about the players, the staff and the fans together and I have to say that the crowd were absolutely terrific again. They shouted all afternoon and really drove us home when we needed it."