Kevin Blackwell was handed an early Christmas present as his players secured a well-earned victory over Neil Warnock.

The Blades stretched the unbeaten run to six - including four wins in the last five games - and Mark Bunn racked up another clean sheet.

Lee Williamson, with his first for the club, set the ball rolloing and Stephen Quinn wrapped up the victory over Crystal Palace in injury-time.

With Montgomery suspended, Williamson returned to United's starting XI for the home encounter. That was boss Blackwell's only change but Reid and Kallio, now free from tonsillitis, were named on the bench. Warnock's Palace team included former Blades record signing Davis and midfielder Derry.

Bunn came to claim an early long throw to boost his confidence but it was United who were the first to shine on a cold December afternoon. From a Ward cross, an Evans shot was deflected into the sidenetting by Butterfield and then Ward went on an enterprising run but his effort lacked purchase, enabling Speroni to gather comfortably.

Fonte was allowed to make progress through the United half but his shot was easy for Bunn before the home side regained control, capturing the lead on 21 minutes. Evans supplied Quinn on the left, his cross was deflected to WILLIAMSON, whose sidefooter crept under the body of Speroni and was inches over the goal-line before Davis hacked clear. One of the assistant referee's confirmed the goal, must to the Jamaican's despair.

Then followed three chances for the luckless Evans in the space of five minutes. His trick failed to outwit Fonte, he was unable to accept a gift after Speroni pawed at Ward's corner and then a powerful effort from the striker was deflected over after a good run by Taylor.

Morgan on Lee and Derry on Williamson earned either side a booking as half-time lurked and a free-kick on 38 minutes saw Morgan head down Quinn's delivery but Williamson, striking on the turn, couldn't keep his effort down.

Ertl became the third name to be added to the referee's notebook for his over exuberant aerial challenge, whilst United comfortably held on to the slender lead up to the break.

Palace were forced to kick off the second period without leading goalscorer Ambrose, who was replaced by Scannell. United were the first to again show attacking intent but Evans, arriving late at the back post, could not steer Quinn's cross towards goal.

Away manager Warnock was forced into another change ten minutes into the half when Butterfield limped off with a hamstring injury, whilst with a lack of offensive prowess, Hill tried his luck from 35 yards but was well off target.

On the hour Danns became the third Palace player to be shown the yellow card following a crude challenge on Walker and Sears was Warnock's final throw of the dice when he replaced Ertl.

United's appeals for a penalty were turned down although it was clear that Hill deflected Ward's cross with his arm, although the Palace left-back did go into the book less than 30 seconds later for his late foul on Walker.

Walker, after attacking at pace down the right, shot over the angle of crossbar and post on 74 minutes, whilst a rare Palace chance saw Danns fire wide with a first-time half-volley.

Evans, whose last contribution was taking a whack from Davis, was replaced in the final ten minutes with Stewart introduced on the left, leaving Cresswell to lead the attack on his own.

Harper's shot was blocked after Hill was nutmegged by Ward, who also had a shot of his own saved by Speroni and drilled another wide in the final five minutes.

Visibly tiring, Ward was withdrawn with three minutes left, Camara taking over, whilst just as five minutes of additional time was announced, the Blades made sure that all the points were staying at Bramall Lane.

With Palace committed to attack United used the space to good effect to claim a second. Cresswell looked like he had a path to goal but he laid off, Camara stepped over and QUINN took a steadying touch before smashing beyond Speroni's left hand.

There was enough injury time for Sears to fire into the sidenetting and Blackwell to wave to the crowd before the final whistle.

Blades: Bunn, Morgan, Kilgallon, Evans (Stewart 80), Williamson, Harper, Taylor, Cresswell, Ward (Camara 87), Quinn, Walker.
Unused: France, Reid, Bennett, Little, Kallio.

Palace: Speroni, Hill, Derry, Fonte, Ambrose (Scannell 45), Danns, Moses, Lee, Butterfield (Clyne 55), Ertl (Sears 66), Davis.
Unused: Carle, Andrew, Smith, N'Diaye.