United will face Premiership Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup after a thrilling third round replay win at QPR on Tuesday evening.

Substitute Jamie Ward had a big influence on the game, scoring with his first touch and setting up another goal with his second in freezing temperatures in London.

Richard Cresswell netted his third successive goal against Rangers and Lee Williamson opened the scoring, whilst United had to withstand a late rally by the home side.

Blackwell made three changes from the initial match nine days earlier, with Williamson, Harper and Seip, making his full debut, coming in for Kilgallon, Camara and Ward. Amongst the substitutes, the Blades manager had Henderson and Walker available.

The XI on show gave flexibility with Cresswell's position being key. It wasn't until just after kick-off that it became apparent that United were going into the tie with a 4-4-2 formation, rather than 4-5-1, which has been employed in away fixtures.

In the league encounter at Loftus Road just prior to Christmas, Leigertwood opened the scoring within two minutes and he had a chance to repeat the feat within 90 seconds, at the same end of the ground, but this time the Rangers captain was off target.

There was no mistaking the fact that the home side made the brighter start and Bunn was forced into a save from Faurlin on four minutes and then Evans picked up a yellow card for a crude challenge.

Bunn was called upon again before the 15 minute mark, this time keeping out from defender Taylor, who had deflected Agyemang's centre towards goal, then a flicked header from Simpson was just wide. Rangers were then forced to rue their missed opportunities when the Blades netted with the first serious forage into home territory.

With 18 minutes gone, Cresswell and Quinn did the initial leg work before Montgomery intelligently switched the play to the right, picking out an unmarked WILLIAMSON, who took his time and placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Cerny and into the far corner.

It was a body blow for the home side but it lifted the Blades, who began to play some neat stuff, causing Gorkss and Stewart a couple of problems. On 27 minutes the lead could have been doubled with a favourable result from the officials. Williamson left Quinn's cross and Evans look poised to slot home before he was bundled over by Buzsaky. Referee Woolmer moved the whistle towards his lips but a penalty was not forthcoming.

Around the half hour mark QPR hit back with a couple of chances and United's defensive mettle was tested. Faurlin curled wide, Buzsaky got the better of Geary and Morgan with pace but half-volleyed just wide and then Geary and Quinn made required blocks on shots from Simpson and Leigertwood respectively.

The first half was certainly entertaining for the hardy souls who had braved the cold. In a similar position from which he scored his goal, Williamson twice saw shots blocked by Ramage and then Evans beat the home offside trap and raced clear onto Harper's pass but the striker could only find the top of Cerny's crossbar. Soon after Montgomery tried his luck from range but his shot was also slightly high.

There was still time for Rangers fans to think they had grabbed a leveller before the break but although a looping header from Gorkss had beaten Bunn and looked to be heading for the net, Geary once again displayed his never-say-die spirit by racing back to clear off his own line.

Both managers opted to stick to the same personnel for the second period and once the action got underway it quickly followed a similar pattern to the first half with an early chance at both ends. Williamson dragged his shot after Evans did well and, for QPR, a trick by Routledge lost Taylor but the subsequent cross was poor.

Seip was booked before both sides again went close. Cresswell headed Harper's corner just wide and then Faurlin turned on the edge of the box but his shot was just over. Gorkss was also booked, for a clash of legs with Evans, before the tie sparked into life thanks to Blackwell's decision to introduce Ward for the tiring Williamson.

The United substitute had been on the pitch less than 30 seconds when he found himself in the clear to run onto a Quinn centre. With his first touch, WARD drilled a powerful effort which sprawled under the body of Cerny and over the line.

Referee Woolmer took some time to stop the Blades celebrating in the corner of Loftus Road and after Rangers had brought on Taarabt, the home side kicked off and lost the ball immediately. United went straight on the attack and Ward, with only his second touch, delivered from the right for CRESSWELL to net the third with a looping effort.

There was, however, little time for respite as QPR hit back within a minute, courtesy of one of their substitutes when Taarabt's shot was adjudged to have hit Geary's hand. The spot-kick was given and BUZSAKY drilled beyond Bunn's right hand.

Henderson and Walker were introduced as United looked for more power to see out the game. As expected, Rangers poured forward but with Morgan solid, the attacks were repelled.

The home side did, though, receive another helping hand from the referee on 88 minutes with the award of a free-kick on the edge of the box when Montgomery clearly won the ball. Buzsaky delivered and STEWART powered in with a close-range header.

It made for a nervy end for the Blades - especially when five more minutes of injury-time was announced. German's sharp turn and shot crept wide of the post and then Bunn made a point-blank save from the same player in the final seconds but the visitors held on to book that valuable fourth round berth.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Gorkss, Faurlin (Taarabt 69), Simpson (German 80), Borrowdale.
Unused: Hall, Connolly, Balanta, Ephraim, McWeeney.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Evans, Williamson (Ward 67), Harper, Taylor, Cresswell (Henderson 74), Seip, Geary (Walker 81), Quinn.
Unused: France, Bennett, Stewart, Little.