His impressive strike, after combining with Glen Little, gave United a deserved victory.

Coventry have not won at Bramall Lane since September 2001 and looked second best in the April sunshine as the Blades secured a first win in six games.

Connolly and Little returned to the starting XI and took up positions on the right flank in the Bramall Lane sunshine. Seip and Williamson dropped to the bench, where they were joined by Naysmith, who came through a reserve game in midweek.

In a low-key start, most of the early attacking purpose came from United, without overly troubling Westwood. Little swung in a couple of free-kicks and, on 14 minutes, Connolly's cross was met by Henderson but he was under pressure from the Coventry rearguard and unable to produce any power from his header.

On 22 minutes, three chances in one move failed to bring the Blades the lead although the visitors defended well. Cresswell's shot was deflected into the path of Little, who saw his first effort blocked and when he looked set to convert the rebound, Barnett made a last ditch tackle to protect Westwood's goal.

City's first half hour's work could only earn them a couple of set-pieces and a number of crosses, which United repelled and, with Little pulling most of the strings, the home side were by far the better side.

Taylor, with his unfavoured right-foot, was on target with a 20-yard shot but Westwood denied him a first Blades goal and Quinn's effort, just before the break, was just wide.

United's best chance of the first half, though, arrived on 43 minutes, when Little picked up possession once more. He laid off to Quinn, who delivered a cross for the unmarked Henderson six yards out but his goalbound header struck Barnett and the big striker was unable to force the rebound home.

There was little reward for United's first half display but it took just 67 seconds from the restart to take the lead. Morgan and Montgomery began a move from the back, Cresswell laid off to Little, who returned the favour with well-weighted pass for CRESSWELL to jam the ball into the top corner of Westwood's net.

Within three minutes the lead would have been doubled but for more desperate defending by the visitors. Little, involved yet again, delivered a cross from the right, Coventry half-cleared and Quinn's volley looked set to find the net before it struck Wright, rushing out to make a block.

Little's dink over Westwood also beat the crossbar and Cresswell almost got on the end of a flick from Henderson following Connolly's free-kick as United searched for a second. Coventry boss Coleman made a couple of changes, which appeared to be the catalyst for a number of half-chances. Clingan fired a free-kick over, Baker's shot was saved by Simonsen, Wood had a header cleared and Gunnarsson's long-ranger was blocked by Nosworthy.

The tiring Little was withdrawn to a round of applause, to be replaced by Williamson, but the Coventry efforts continued and the visitors were handed a gift by the referee on 80 minutes when Simonsen caught what was adjudged to be a backpass. Fortunately, Clingan blasted well over from just eight yards.

The fresh legs of Yeates took the place of Quinn in the final ten minutes and United were happy to hold on to the slender advantage, tightening up the back line and midfield.
Chances for both sides dried up for the closing moments although a Yeates effort was blocked and Gunnarsson fired well over for the visitors, despite a clear sight of goal.

Three minutes of additional time was added at the end of the 90 and Coventry won a corner - which Westwood came forward for - but the Sky Blues could not trouble Simonsen and United saw out the closing minutes to make it 18 wins to Coventry's 16 in the 50 competitive meetings between the sides.

Blades: Simonsen, Montgomery, Morgan, Nosworthy, Henderson, Harper, Taylor, Cresswell, Little (Williamson 73), Quinn (Yeates 82), Connolly.
Unused: Naysmith, Williamson, Bennett, Seip, Bartley, Geary.

Coventry: Westwood, Wright, Clingan, Bell, Morrison, Cranie (Clarke 85), Gunnarsson, Baker (McIndoe 64), Sears (Eastwood 55), Barnett, Wood.
Unused: Hall, Konstantopoulos, Grandison, Jeffers.