United edged into the top half of the Championship table thanks to a tremendous defensive performance and Gary Cahill's first goal for the club.

Sheffield-born loanee Cahill displayed great reactions to head home just before the break in the live Sky clash on Saturday evening.

The hard-earned victory at Stoke was the first in the lime away strip and ensured that United have remained unbeaten between the international breaks of October and November.

Thanks to the 3-1 win over Ipswich in midweek, boss Robson was able to name an unchanged team, whilst the home side brought back Sidibe and Wright at the expense of Lawrence and Zakuani.

United made a slow start and the home side bossed the early possession. Fuller got above Bardsley but could only head at Bennett and then Delap's early long throws were causing problems, one of which led to the first corner of the night. Carney cleared the danger.

Montgomery blocked a long-range effort from Eustace on 11 minutes and United's players began to show their disappointment at referee Stroud continuing to award the home side the 50-50 decisions. Fuller then tried his luck when given too much space but he fired over from 25 yards.

It took until the 25th minute before United could bring Simonsen into the action and even then it was only to push a Carney cross away but moments later the Stoke goalkeeper had to rush out of his box to head clear as Webber looked to get away from the home defence.

United finished the half stronger, Bardsley attempted a long-range effort which flew over the bar and then, on 41 minutes, Webber provided a delicious low centre, which took out three defenders, but Carney could only hit the outside of a post after coming in at pace from the left.

A moment later United had appeals for a penalty turned down when, after good work from Carney, a shot by Gillespie clearly hit the arm of Wilkinson. Justice was done, however, when the Blades netted from the resulting corner.

Carney's cross from the right caused confusion between Simonsen and his defence and after Webber delivered back into the danger area, CAHILL reacted first, heading down and past the Pugh on the line, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.

There was little time to celebrate as Stoke were back on the attack before the break. Another Delap throw saw Montgomery block from Fuller, who also had time to head over in injury-time at the end of the first half.

Fuller was Stoke's major threat in the first period and he continued where he left off in the second, working the first chance but his effort deflected off Cahill and Bennett was quickly across his goal to smother the ball.

United had Kilgallon to thank for blocking a Sidibe cross and the same striker saw his bobbling shot gathered by Bennett just before the hour mark. The home side increased the pressure, with Delap in the thick of the action with his long bombs, but they were let off when Beattie failed to get enough on a header from Carney's cross.

It was Cahill's turn to save United on 69 minutes. Despite being on a yellow card and in the penalty area, the defender slid in to make a decisive tackle to prevent Fuller, who had latched on to a pass from Parkin.

Webber's snapshot from outside the box was over the crossbar but Stoke's pressure continued and home boss Pulis added a further striker for the closing stages, sacrificing a defender. Delap's arms must have begun to ache as he continued his long-throw policy and Cresswell headed a corner over the top.

One of Delay's launches caused problems on 86 minutes when Cort flicked on and Cresswell headed at goal but Bennett was ideally placed to make a save. Former Blades loanee Pericard was introduced for the four minutes of injury-time.

United substitute, Lucketti, was adjudged to have fouled Parkin in the second minute of injury-time but Pugh's free-kick from the edge of the penalty area failed to beat the wall and Bardsley did superbly to connect with the ball as the home fans appealed, in vain, for a penalty as he slid in to halt Fuller.

The four minutes elapsed but play went on and at the death there was still time for a Shawcross half volley but Bennett did well to tip over, despite a deflection off Kilgallon. United were forced to keep out two more corners before referee Stroud blew the final whistle to signify a first ever win at the Britannia Stadium for the Blades.

Stoke: Simonsen, Eustace, Cort, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe (Parkin 66), Pugh, Shawcross, Wright (Phillips 78), Delap, Wilkinson (Pericard 90).
Unused: Zakuani, Hoult.

Blades: Bennett, Naysmith, Bardsley, Beattie, Webber (Lucketti 87), Carney (Tonge 90), Kilgallon, Montgomery, Gillespie, Armstrong, Cahill.
Unused: Shelton, Stead, A. Quinn.