Defender Jean Calve made a dream debut for the Blades, scoring a scintillating winner.

The 26-year-old, who signed a season long-loan from AS Nancy in the week, drilled home a 30-yard effort which proved to be the winner.

It was United's first win of the campaign and Gary Speed's inaugural victory in his fledgling managerial career.

Frenchman Calve and Jordan made their debuts in the full-back berths as new boss Speed made two changes. Skipper Morgan missed out with a calf problem sustained in training and Taylor dropped to the bench. United's front six was unchanged.

Speed was afforded a rousing reception when he was introduced to the Blades fans ahead of kick-off before the Greasy Chip Buttie anthem reverberated around the Lane. The first chance, however, fell to a former Blade but Treacy fired well wide with just 37 seconds gone. However, three minutes later he went closer. Montgomery was harshly adjudged to have brought down Hayes, from the resulting free-kick Treacy fired against a post and in the aftermath a powerful shot from James struck Bartley.

Preston made the better start with King, on loan from Manchester United, looking a threat but the Blades withstood the early pressure and began to try and play through the visiting defence. The first chance, however, did not arrive until the 23rd minute when Evans did well to control a 40-yard pass from Bartley but was prevented from getting a shot away by a late Jones tackle, although the referee baffled the crowd by awarding a goal-kick.

Ertl, Bartley and Calve were off target with long-range shots and a noticeable change in tactics was Britton operating in a deeper role than in previous weeks.

The remainder of the half saw United on the offensive. Ward saw a lot of the ball, Jordan whipped in a number of crosses and Calve's delivery from the right just missed the back post and had the Preston goalkeeper scurrying across his goal. Despite the blank scoreline the Blades players were applauded from the pitch at half-time.

Montgomery was the first name in referee Williamson's notebook after a foul on Jones at the start of the second period and like the start of the first half, Preston recorded the first chance. With 52 minutes gone, King got the better of Nosworthy but saw his shot saved by the legs of Simonsen and from the rebound, under pressure from the goalkeeper, Jones fired wide. Simonsen was also well placed to save then gather another shot from King a moment later.

Treacy was withdrawn by Preston and United's first change saw Yeates replace Evans on the hour. The substitute took less than three minutes to get a shot on target but his 25-yard effort was pushed away by Lonergan.

Lonergan, though, could do little about United's first home goal of the campaign, which arrived on 74 minutes. Preston, and notably St Ledger, failed to clear and when the ball dropped to CALVE 30 yards out and to the right, he had just one intention, to fire in an unstoppable effort which flew into the top corner. Whilst the Kop celebrated, the scorer dropped to the turf, appearing to suffer from cramp and it proved to be his last action. Lowton was the replacement but Calve did get a big hug from Speed as he hobbled down the tunnel.

Jordan was cautioned for pulling back King and Preston used the last of their substitutes in the last ten minutes. Simonsen again saved with his legs, this time keeping out from a Jones shot, although the flag was up, and the visitors played the final five minutes with St Ledger as an auxiliary striker, leaving three at the back.

Preston felt aggrieved when Bartley was penalised for a foul on Parkin on 87 minutes, they thought the offence had taken place inside the penalty area, but from the resulting free-kick, Coutts fired into the wall and the rebound from Barton was also blocked.

King cut in from the right and fired over and four minutes of added time also gave the visitors hope but the final chance saw Montgomery fire into the side-netting as the Blades held on for three deserved points.

Blades: Simonsen, Jordan, Nosworthy, Montgomery, Ertl, Britton, Evans (Yeates 60), Calve (Lowton 75), Cresswell, Ward, Bartley.
Unused: Bogdanovic, Aksalu, Taylor, Kozluk, Quinn.

Preston: Lonergan, Morgan, Davidson, St Ledger, James, Coutts, Hayes (Parkin 79), Treacy (Mayor 53), Gray (Barton 82), King, Jones.
Unused: Brown, Russell, Arestidou, McLaughlin.