The Blades almost played the part of pantomime villain at Newcastle's promotion party on Monday evening.

Richard Cresswell's goal gave the Blades in the lead at St James' Park, which has not seen an away defeat all season.

But, despite a battling performance, goals from Peter Lovenkrands and Kevin Nolan ensured that the Magpies - promoted before kick-off - celebrated their return to the Premiership with a win.

Contending with suspension and more injuries, boss Blackwell made four changes for the visit to St James', bringing in Taylor, Seip, Williamson and Harper - fit-again Geary was amongst the substitutes. The personnel on show would have given the travelling Blades food for thought ahead of kick-off but it was soon clear that Nosworthy had moved out to right back and Seip was partnering Morgan in the heart of the defence. The midfield four was Williamson, Montgomery, Harper and Quinn with the powerful duo of Cresswell and Henderson in attack.

The first on target shot of the night fell to the Blades but Harper's 30-yard effort was into the midriff of his namesake, the Newcastle goalkeeper, who was man of the match when the sides met at Bramall Lane in November. Williamson and Henderson combined on seven minutes, almost providing the latter with a route through the defence as the visitors began well.

Lovenkrands and Routledge were both off target as Newcastle emphasised that they were still a threat, despite already being promoted, whilst the Blades hit back with Henderson heading wide a corner from Harper.

Cresswell beat the offside trap and got away from Williamson to collect Taylor's delivery but could not find the target but the striker was not so wayward soon after as the Blades grabbed the lead. From Harper's left-wing corner, CRESSWELL rose above Coloccini and guided the ball past the goalkeeper at Gallowgate end. There was suspicion that Henderson added a touch but there was very little diversion on the direction of the ball.

Montgomery was as tenacious as ever and one of his tackles set up another Blades move on 29 minutes but after touches from Quinn and Henderson, Harper smothered the ball before Cresswell could pounce.

The majority inside the Toon's home held their breath when Routledge struck Enrique's pass first time but the effort curled just wide of the top corner and then Simonsen did well to watch and hold two shots from Guthrie.

As half-time approached, Newcastle were looking to get more of a foothold in the game and created a number of chances. Carroll's header was just wide from a corner and Lovenkrands was off target - both were created by Guthrie.

United had a good chance to extend the lead on 42 minutes but, after Newcastle had made a mess of clearing a corner, Seip's goalbound shot struck defender Williamson.
The entertaining half was not over but, unfortunately, the result was an equalising goal. Simonsen had already made a tremendous reaction save from a Lovenkrands volley before the award of a weak penalty.

From Guthrie's corner, Morgan was adjudged to have hampered Carroll's run and referee Hall immediately pointed to the spot. LOVENKRANDS waited until the protests had subsided before sending Simonsen the wrong way with the penalty kick.

There was still time for referee Hall to send former Newcastle great Speed from United's dugout, presumably for further complaints about the penalty, before the half-time whistle sounded.

Henderson was prominent as the Blades matched the home side in the early stages of the second half. Chances, however, were limited and it wasn't until the 59th minute that an effort from Lovenkrands flew over United's crossbar.

A 30-yard run from Enrique, shaking off Quinn in the process, set up a great chance for
Lovenkrands soon after but the striker, with just Simonsen to beat, fired wide. United's first chance of the half, on 65 minutes, was the result of Taylor's run down the left but Henderson, leaning back, could only shoot into the arms of Harper.

The Newcastle faithful thought they had taken the lead on 70 minutes but were denied by a combination of fingertips and woodwork. Jonas strolled away from Nosworthy, cut inside Morgan and his curler looked to be heading for the corner of the net until Simonsen tipped the ball onto the post.

The home side, however, were on top and got their goal on 73 minutes. The Blades failed to clear a free-kick and when Lovenkrands nodded down Routledge's loop into the box, NOLAN was ideally-placed to beat Simonsen with an overhead effort from close-range.

Seip was the first to be booked, on 77 minutes, for a foul on Carroll, as the home side's attacks continued, Simonsen was forced into another save to deny Guthrie. Little and Yeates were both attacking substitutions for the Blades and combined to win a corner which the latter almost converted on 86 minutes. Yeates also fired a free-kick over the crossbar late on.

The Blades went with three at the back for the closing minutes, Bartley added to the attack at the expense of Seip, but the visitors were unable to claim an equaliser that their efforts perhaps deserved.

Newcastle thought they had claimed a third deep into stoppage time when Ameobi poked home after Simonsen could only parry out Nolan's shot but his celebrations were cut short by a linesman's offside flag.

Newcastle: Harper, Coloccini, Enrique, Nolan, M. Williamson, Guthrie (Barton 87), Routledge (R. Taylor 90), Lovenkrands (Ameobi 83), Simpson, Jonas, Carroll.
Unused: Best, Butt, Krul, Kadar.

Blades: Simonsen, Montgomery, Morgan, Nosworthy, Henderson, L. Williamson (Little 71), J. Harper, A. Taylor, Cresswell (Yeates 81), Seip (Bartley 90), Quinn.
Unused: Bennett, Geary, Fortune, Lowton.