The Blades stormed back from a goal down to outplay old foes Reading and pick up three more vital points in the Championship.

Matthew Mills - with Reading's first goal of the campaign - gave the hosts the lead but Stephen Quinn levelled just before the break. United dominated after the interval and goals from Jamie Ward and substitute David Cotterill put the seal on the victory.

In addition, Madejski old boy Darius Henderson had what looked like a perfectly good goal ruled out, also in the second half.

Blackwell was forced into a change for the first time in three matches with Quinn taking over from tonsillitis-victim Howard, who scored the winner on the last visit to Reading. The United chief also named just six substitutes, which didn't include Royals old boy, Little.

Reading began with a pre-match huddle and the Blades lined up with an orthodox 4-4-2 system, which almost bore fruit within the opening five minutes. Taylor's run and cross saw Treacy beat his man with an excellent first touch but the subsequent shot was over Federici's crossbar. United also won two corners in the first ten minutes, putting early pressure on the home defence.

However, it was from a Reading set-piece that the deadlock was broken with 13 minutes gone. The home side had already had two corners before Montgomery's foul on Tabb resulted in a free-kick in a dangerous position and Sigurdsson's inswinger found MILLS, who beat Bunn from close range, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.

There was another nervous moment soon after when Reading threatened again. United were unable to get control of the ball as the home side looked for a second and Hunt went down under a Montgomery challenge before Kilgallon cleared.

Henderson was unable to get a good connection to Treacy's free-kick but the Royals were soon back on the attack with an impressive move down the left, which involved Long and Hunt, before Tabb fired over.

United's woes continued through the half hour when Treacy was replaced, presumably injured, by Cotterill and Morgan picked up a booking after for his block on Bertrand.

Reading were enjoying the majority of possession and looking the more likely to net next before they were stung close to the break. Henderson allowed a cross from Ward to sail over his head where Evans was waiting to drill in a shot which, despite being off target, flew across the goal for the ideally-placed QUINN to confidently strike home.

The goal revitalised United and in the remaining moments - plus three additional minutes - at the end of the half, Henderson was beaten by Federici in the air and Evans struck a volley wide from Cotterill's cross.

United began the second period like they had ended the first - on top. Within the first five minutes of the half three good chances had been created and, but for the officials, the lead would have been grabbed.

Mills blocked off Quinn in the box and then Evans flashed a header wide from a Cotterill cross before a neat move, stretching from right to left, should have put United ahead. Taylor's deep cross took Federici out of the equation and Henderson rose above Bertrand to head home only for referee Russell to disallow the 'goal', presumably for leaning on the defender, which was not evident in replays of the incident.

The hosts attempted to get back on to the front foot, Sigurdsson turned Walker but his shot hit the outside of Bunn's left post, before United finally added a deserved second. Just past the hour mark, Taylor's throw was laid off by Quinn and WARD found a yard of space to shoot from 25 yards, his powerful effort deceiving Federici, who watched in horror as the ball flew off his hip into the top corner.

As expected, Reading hit back. Cotterill was booked for a cynical foul on Bertrand and then Bunn was forced to punch away as Sigurdsson looked to cause problems. Another free-kick from the home side was dangerous and Taylor's poke thankfully rolled just beyond his own post.

With Bunn patrolling his area well, it gave United the opportunity to push for a third. On the right Walker got the better of Bertrand and delivered a cross for a Henderson header but Federici saved on his line and the goalkeeper then held up Ward when the striker got clear.

There were still nervy moments for United, especially in the last ten minutes when Taylor cleared a Tabb cross and Bunn again raced off his line to punch clear.

Substitute France forced Federici to concede a corner late on, from which Morgan headed wide, then France, again, burst clear and fired just wide following a Ward cross.

The announcement that four extra minutes were to be added was greeted by Bunn claiming another ball into the box before helping the Blades to a third.

It was a long kick from the goalkeeper that Henderson knocked down for COTTERILL to drill home another long range effort, which dipped into the corner. The United players headed off to celebrate with the Blades fans behind Federici's goal and the travelling supporters cheered right up until the final whistle.

Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Cisse (Davies 67), Mills, Tabb, Long, Hunt (Church 75), Karacan, Bertrand (Harper 88), Pearce, Sigurdsson.
Unused: Gunnarsson, Henry, Robson-Kanu, Hamer.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Evans (France 85), Taylor, Ward, Treacy (Cotterill 27), Quinn, Walker.
Unused: Reid, Bennett, Bromby, Sharp.