In the final home game of the season, United sent the fans home with renewed optimism thanks to a deserved win over Swansea City.

The Blades may not be in the play-off picture any longer this season but had a say in the final placings of the top six after the Welsh visitors dropped into seventh position.

Richard Cresswell scored the game's first goal and had a big hand in the second but Paddy Kenny marked his performance with a fine performance and well-earned clean sheet.

Kenny and Naysmith both made their first appearances of the season, forming part of five changes made by boss Blackwell for the visit Swansea. Kenny returned after his FA-imposed suspension, whilst Naysmith had been out for year with a knee ligament injury.

Bartley, Little and Camara were also back in the starting line-up. On the bench, Estonian goalkeeper Aksalu was joined by Evans and Geary. For the visitors, ex United loanee Dyer started but Cotterill was only amongst the substitutes.

In the late season sunshine, Kenny received a rapturous welcome before kick-off and all his early touches were greeted with cheers from the crowd. He was forced into his first save on 14 minutes, dropping to his right to keep out Pratley's effort, then Bartley blocked from Kuqi and Gower fired wide.

A couple of corners were all the Blades had to show for their early efforts, although the action was even. From a Little run, Camara's shot was crowded out but Swansea were quickly back on the offensive and Kenny saved from Gower.

United's injury-cursed season continued when Quinn limped off just after the half hour mark, replaced by Yeates, then Swansea thought they should have been awarded a penalty on 40 minutes when Montgomery fouled Pratley on the edge of the box. The subsequent free-kick from Bessone was tremendously tipped around the post by Kenny.

The home side's best chance of the half was a bizarre affair on 44 minutes. Nosworthy's pull back following a run down the right saw Dyer and Montgomery reach the ball at the same time and the ricochet spun up and just wide of the goal with goalkeeper DeVries particularly nervous.

The only noteworthy action of the additional period before the half-time break was the first booking of the game, picked up by Cresswell for a foul on Britton.

Yeates had a bright start to the second half, his first cross was collected by DeVries but was not far from Camara and then the winger's shot was blocked by Rangel. Once again Kenny was called upon, this time to claw away a Bessone free-kick.

Pratley was a continual threat and he twice came close to giving Swansea the lead in the space of two minutes. Firstly, his header from Rangel's cross hit team-mate Kuqi and then his half-volley from the edge of the penalty area was acrobatically saved and held by Kenny. Pratley also had another penalty appeal turned down before the Blades grasped the lead.

On 62 minutes, a Yeates delivery from the left was deflected by Rangel into the path of CRESSWELL, who turned in an instant and fired a half-volley across DeVries, into the top corner.

A number of changes in personnel occurred soon after. Evans, Cotterill and Seip, the latter for the tiring Naysmith, were brought into the fray. Swansea wasted a golden chance to level on 67 minutes when Pratley put Gower in the clear but the midfielder fired across goal and wide.

All substitutions were completed on 75 minutes when Sousa made a double change and United were coming under increasing pressure as Swansea looked to salvage at least a point. Nosworthy, now at left-back, blocked from Kuqi and survived a penalty shout when he collided with Gower. Montgomery picked up a booking for a foul on Rangel.

Late on, after stemming Swansea's attacks, it was United who went on the attack. On 87 minutes, from a looped Yeates pass, a volley from Evans was saved by DeVries at his near post and then Yeates himself fired over.

The points, however, were secured in the 90th minute with United's second goal. From a breakaway, Evans, Little and Cresswell were involved and it was the latter's pull-back that caught the inside of DEVRIES' leg and trickled over the line at the Kop end.

In added time, Kenny kept out Gower's free-kick, Yeates' back heeled effort was straight at DeVries and the last action saw Bartley clear away Trundle's cross.

United closed their home programme with lap of the pitch to thank the fans for their support throughout the season.

Blades: Kenny, Naysmith (Seip 69), Montgomery, Morgan, Nosworthy, Harper, Cresswell, Bartley, Little, Quinn (Yeates 33), Camara (Evans 64).
Unused: Geary, Aksalu, Fortune, Lowton.

Swansea: DeVries, Williams, Britton, Pratley (Orlandi 75), Van Der Gun (Trundle 75), Dyer (Cotterill 64), Monk, Bessone, Rangel, Gower, Kuqi.
Unused: Cornell, Pintado, Allen, Serran.