James Harper smashed home a late winner as United extended the unbeaten run to four games with a hard-earned victory at Plymouth.

The midfielder struck after 88 minutes, moments after Plymouth's Carl Fletcher had struck the post for the home side. There was a suspicion that Toni Kallio also added a touch before the ball disappeared beyond Romain Larrieu.

The goal made sure the 631 Blades fans who had made the 572-mile round trip to Devon were glad they had made the effort.

The Blades made two changes from the side that was victorious at Bristol City and losing hat-trick hero Henderson to a thigh problem was a blow - defender Davies was also out. Kallio made his debut in defence, whilst Cresswell was included, selected in the sole striker role.

Blackwell named five loan signings - Kallio, Cresswell, Walker, Harper and Ikeme - in his starting line-up which meant he was unable to include fellow loanee Bunn and went without a replacement goalkeeper amongst his substitutes. There was good news on the bench, though, as Geary and Naysmith, were included.

It was quickly evident that the Morgan-Kilgallon partnership had resumed in the centre of United's defence with 6ft 4ins Kallio taking over at left back, where he quickly linked up with Quinn.

The first assault on either goal was Fallon's header from Sawyer's cross but Ikeme was ideally placed to pluck the ball out of the air. Soon after, a free-kick was headed back across goal by Duguid, Kallio half-cleared and the subsequent shot from Mason, an 18-year-old midfielder making his debut, was wide.

United's first serious attack, on eight minutes, was the result of a free-kick by Kilgallon from the halfway line but after Morgan's flick Larrieu gathered before Ward could pounce.

In the first half hour there was little in terms of full chances as players attempted to come to terms with the conditions, but an encouraging run by Judge was halted at Kilgallon and the home fans were appealing for a penalty when Morgan's boot connected with the head of Fallon, a former team-mate at Barnsley, but the referee was unimpressed.

Referee Horwood handed out a booking for both sides, Lowry for Plymouth and United's Montgomery, whilst the latter was also given an additional talking to after another foul on Judge.

As per usual, Montgomery was involved in a lot in the first period and his shot with 42 minutes gone was blocked by Sawyer, whilst it turned out to be the final chance before the half-time whistle.

The rain continued as the second period got underway and the home side were the first to show. Kilgallon did well to thwart Barnes and from the resulting corner Arnason's header flew over the bar.

Ward was becoming more prominent and Sawyer was shown a yellow card for hauling down the winger, who provided the corner from which Montgomery fired a 20-yarder against the base of Larrieu's left post on 57 minutes.

Williamson was booked on 63 minutes, presumably for accumulative offences, whilst he was replaced by striker Evans with a quarter of the game remaining in boss Blackwell's first change.

Plymouth fans were appealing for a penalty on 71 minutes when the combined attentions of Walker and Kilgallon saw Fallon go over in the box but again the officials said no, whilst Judge thought he had scored on 74 minutes but his 25-yard curler was just over.

There was nervousness for the final 15 minutes after Ikeme needed attention to what seemed like a calf problem, of course, the Blades didn't have a goalkeeper on the bench. Soon after the re-start Gray's cross was headed back by Fallon but behind the onrushing Barnes.

Going into the final ten minutes the conditions were still on top but Plymouth came close to grabbing the lead on 84 minutes when a cross into the box was cleared into the path of the oncoming Fletcher, who drilled a shot against the post and, fortunately, the ball rebounded to safety.

Both managers used their second substitutions with five minutes to go, Stewart brought on for United, before the visiting fans were rewarded for their long trip.

With 88 minutes gone, United won a corner, ironically after Larrieu had pushed out a Harper left-footer. From a Ward delivery, Plymouth headed clear but only as far as HARPER, who coolly smashed a right-footer through a crowd of bodies, including Kallio, and past the home goalkeeper. All of the United players, apart from the struggling Ikeme, ran over to celebrate with the supporters.

Five minutes of additional time gave the dejected home fans a glimmer of home but United, professionally, saw out the extra period with a minimum of fuss to make it four games unbeaten at Home Park.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Duguid, Fletcher, Arnason, Fallon, Sawyer (Gow 90), Barnes (Sheridan 85), Judge, Mason (Noone 65), Lowry, Gray.
Unused: Blake, Johnson, Letheren, Folly.

Blades: Ikeme, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Williamson (Evans 67), Harper, Cresswell (Stewart 85), Ward, Quinn, Kallio, Walker.
Unused: France, Naysmith, Taylor, Little, Geary.