Bryan Robson is still searching for his first Coca-Cola Championship win as Blades chief after watching his side slip to a single goal defeat at Watford.

Despite starting with a three-man attack, United's best efforts came from midfielder Michael Tonge but twice he was denied by Mart Poom.

The winning goal came 11 minutes into the second half and was the result of hesitant defending. Lee Williamson took full advantage to steer the ball past Paddy Kenny.

Before the game a number of eyebrows were raised with the team selection. Bryan Robson made four changes from the side that played against Chesterfield in midweek, whilst there were a total of six new faces from the side that faced Colchester on the opening day of the season - seven days before the trip to Vicarage Road.

From Henderson's first-minute cross, Smith was caught in two minds with a header, which was well wide ultimately, and the same duo combined before the ten-minute mark but Henderson fouled Kenny following Smith's cross.

In between these efforts for the home side, and from the game's first corner, United went close when Gillespie's outswinger was met by Bromby, who forced Poom into a parry. It was easy to see Robson's intentions with a three-pronged attack. Webber, on the left, and Stead, on the right, flanking Beattie, who was the central focus.

A spell of Watford pressure saw the home side look dangerous midway through the first half. King's cross was cut out by Kilgallon with Henderson lurking, Smith curled a left-footer over and then a centre from McAnuff evaded Williamson and Smith and spun out for a goal-kick.

Twice Demerit and Poom got their wires crossed but United couldn't take advantage, whilst a couple of corners also failed to breakdown Watford. In the closing minutes of the half McAnuff cut in from the left but his shot at Kenny was weak.

Both managers resisted the urge to make changes at the break, but Watford were the first to show in the second period, winning two corners in the first three minutes.

Watford also forced the first effort of the half. From Stewart's left-wing cross in the 52nd minute, Henderson headed down and King progressed across the box before seeing his shot deflected wide by Morgan.

The Hornets, however, did go ahead five minutes later. Henderson retrieved a deep cross on the left and after confusion between Montgomery and Morgan about who was to close him down, the striker delivered a cross which WILLIAMSON met cleanly to beat Kenny from 12 yards.

Most of the attacking in the second period was coming from the home side and they went close to a second on 61 minutes. Stewart's deep corner beat Morgan and Henderson headed wide at the back post. King was the next to go close yet again, this time he evaded a sliding challenge from Morgan and unleashed a 25-yard drive that flew just over the crossbar.

Kenny made a crucial save when Henderson wriggled free of Kilgallon on 70 minutes, McAnuff had beaten Bromby to a flick in the build up, before United finally began to work the home defence.

A minute after Kenny's save, Tonge was allowed space in the midfield before cracking a 25-yard effort which was on target but Poom pushed the ball over the top. From the corner, referee Marriner awarded a free-kick on Tonge, who then lined-up the set-piece from 20-yards. His drilled effort was parried by Poom and Smith beat both Beattie and Stead to the rebound to clear off the line.

Geary's introduction brought a switch round in positions with Armstrong pushed further forward and he was followed onto the pitch by Shelton, who replaced Webber with just over 10 minutes remaining. Former Blade Kabba was the next on, replacing Smith.

Williamson did well to start a move on 84 minutes which ended with him forcing Kenny into a save low to his left, whilst at the other end there were weak appeals for a penalty when Armstrong went down under Stewart's challenge following Geary's cross.

United's last chance came in the second of three minutes of injury-time when Kabba was booked for a foul on Bromby. From Gillespie's centre, Kilgallon won the header but could only direct the ball over.

Bromby foul throwed as he lumped the ball in late on in injury-time to complete United's miserable day.

Watford: Poom, Doyley, Demerit, Shittu, Stewart, McAnuff, Mahon, Williamson, Smith (Kabba 79), King, Henderson.
Unused: Lee, Hoskins, Mariappa, Priskin.

Blades: Kenny, Bromby, Morgan, Beattie, Stead (Geary 73), Webber (Shelton 78), Kilgallon, Montgomery, Tonge, Gillespie, Armstrong.
Unused: A. Quinn, Bennett, Leigertwood.