Two penalties from stand-in skipper Darius Henderson ensured that the Blades kept the Indian sign over local rivals Barnsley.
United twice came from behind in front of the Sky cameras at Oakwell thanks to Henderson's calmness from the spot, ensuring that the Tykes have not beaten the Blades since April 2001.
The injury curse currently on Kevin Blackwell's side continued as Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Bennett were unable to complete the game but the good news is that Derek Geary made his first appearance in over 14 months.
There were only two changes to United's starting line up for the trip up the M1 but there were surprises aplenty from boss Blackwell. Walker recovered to continue at right-back, Fortune was handed a debut and Ward returned to add pace to the attack. Henderson was handed the captain's armband in the absence of the suspended Morgan, whilst full-back Geary was named on the bench for the first time following his lengthy recovery from a knee problem.
Barnsley included Kozluk in their starting line-up but a fellow ex Blade, Gray, had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.
United's formation, which was evident minutes into the game, was a standard 4-4-2 with Kilgallon remaining at left-back and Fortune partnering Davies in the centre of defence. Treacy reverted to the left of midfield with Ward on the right.
It took little more than four minutes for the first opportunity to materialise but a flick by Macken from Kozluk's cross was optimistic. Soon after there was action at both ends with a throw from Walker resulting in Henderson's shot being saved by Steele's legs but Barnsley threatened on the break. Kilgallon was called upon to block a Bogdanovic shot and then, from the resulting corner, Bennett was impeded as he attempted to punch and Walker headed against his own crossbar as he tried to clear.
The home side were having the better of the opening half hour and worked a number of chances. A cross from Hammill saw Bogdanovic's header pushed around the post by Bennett, who then tipped another effort away by Barnsley's Maltese striker with 20 minutes gone.
United also created. Harper's pass gave Evans a shooting opportunity but his left-footer was wide and then Henderson failed to get enough purchase on a diagonal cross from Kilgallon.
On 25 minutes Bennett saved again, this time from a Colace effort, and then, at the other end, Harper's shot was deflected wide and Walker's teasing run and cross from the right caused problems before Anderson cleared.
Hammill fired over when a chance fell nicely for him and the frenetic action continued right up until the 45-minute mark - and the four added on - by referee Clattenburg.
With 43 minutes gone, Shotton was the first to be booked, for scything down Kilgallon, who needed extensive treatment. It looked as though he would be able to continue but limped out of the action in injury-time and his place by taken by Geary, who could hear the Blades fans inside Oakwell singing his name as he accumulated a number of confidence-boosting touches before the half-time whistle.
Another name was added to United's injury list at half-time when goalkeeper Bennett failed to re-appear, giving another chance for loanee Bunn to shine.
Within seconds the substitute goalkeeper was put under pressure by Bogdanovic, who got the better of Fortune but United survived. Evans, Ward and Henderson linked up but the Blades were unable to get a shot in.
Again it looked even but the pendulum swung in Barnsley's favour when they grabbed the lead on 53 minutes. Kozluk's throw was cleared by Geary but Colace laid into the path of ANDERSON, who fired across Bunn from 20 yards.
United's immediate response was a mazy run by Treacy, from the left. He beat three on his way to shooting against the base of Steele's near post and the rebound, from Ward, was blocked by Moore.
The entertainment value continued as Barnsley hit back with two more chances. The first was from Bogdanovic's chip, which Bunn held on the line, and then Macken headed a cross from Dickinson wide.
Barnsley were punished for the missed chances around the hour mark when the visitors levelled. The home defence failed to deal with the quick reactions of Evans, who, referee Clattenburg deemed, was brought down by goalkeeper Steele. After protests subsided, HENDERSON took responsibility and smashed home the penalty.
This time Barnsley were afforded the chance to hit back straight away when Hammill's free-kick found Macken unmarked in the box but the striker missed his header.
However, Barnsley did regain the lead on 74 minutes. Macken got the better of Geary and Davies and his cross appeared to hit BOGDANOVIC, fortunately for him, dropping into Bunn's net.
It was the last action for both the instigator and scorer of Barnsley's second as they were both replaced before the restart. Henderson was booked for a clash with Anderson whilst Blackwell's last substitution - his first tactically - was throwing on Camara for Treacy.
Into the last ten minutes the nerves began to jangle but United were boosted by another clumsy Barnsley challenge. Walker took on both Dickinson and Hammill down the right and the latter was tempted into a challenge which referee Clattenburg again thought was worthy of a penalty. HENDERSON again waited patiently before this time placing home the penalty, to Steele's right.
Walker was booked for dissent and Doyle fired wide from 25 yards as the final minutes trickled away. Four extra moments was announced with United on the attack but, fortunately for both sets of fans' fingernails, there was little in terms of goal threat before the final whistle sounded.
Barnsley: Steele, Kozluk, Moore, Colace, Bogdanovic (Gray 75), Anderson, Macken (Hume 75), Hammill, Dickinson, Shotton, Doyle.
Unused: Hassell, Campbell-Ryce, Preece, Hallfredsson, Thompson.
Blades: Bennett (Bunn 45), Kilgallon (Geary 45), Henderson, Evans, Harper, Ward, Davies, Treacy (Camara 79), Quinn, Fortune, Walker.
Unused: France, Cotterill, Williamson, Little.
