Gary Speed's first game as manager brought an improved performance from the Blades but it could not secure a first win of the season.

The Blades matched if not bettered the Middlesbrough's performance but an individual error moments into the second half secured the points for the home side.

Chris Morgan failed to cut out a flick on and held his head in his hands after watching Kris Boyd net his first Boro goal, which proved to be the winner.

Speed's first selection included a fit-again Nosworthy, replacing Quinn, and prompting a positional change for Ertl, who was shifted from right-back to central midfield. Kilgallon made his Boro bow after his loan switch from Sunderland and was one of three debutants for the home side.

Before kick-off the visiting players, in the black change strip, came together for a huddle, no doubt skipper Morgan making sure everyone knew their responsibilities. The start was tepid from both teams, the first chance arrived after seven minutes following a mistake by Montgomery but McDonald's shot was straight at Simonsen.

United's first sighting of the Boro goal arrived on 11 minutes. Ertl passed up a chance to shoot and following an Evans cross, Britton got his head to the ball in a crowded penalty area but he could not get enough purchase.

It took 13 minutes for Unitedites to ask the new boss for a wave and he responded, whilst the Boro crowd were starting to voice their displeasure at their start, especially after they almost gifted United the lead. With 16 minutes gone, Ward picked the pockets of Bailey and after his lay-off, an Evans shot was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Steele.

Boro won the game's first corner on 20 minutes but Morgan and co looked comfortable with what was thrown at them in the early stages. Meanwhile, United's attacking quartet - Evans, Britton, Ward and Cresswell - combined on 24 minutes but the latter could not add a finish.

Around the half hour mark the Blades lost a bit of the grip they had and the game became even once again. On 33 minutes Kink fired just over the crossbar for the home side and on 36 minutes, after Ward had got the better of Kilgallon, Steele dropped the ball and conceded a corner under pressure from Cresswell.

Chances dried up before the break but at the half-time whistle United were, justifiably, the happier of the teams in terms of first half display, emphasised by the fact that the home side made a change at the start of the second period.

There was also a slow start to the second half before an uncharacteristic mistake handed the home side the lead on 52 minutes. Bailey's hook forward and McDonald's flick on preceded Morgan being deceived by the bounce and BOYD took advantage to race on, before sliding his shot beyond Simonsen and into the corner of the net.

The goal was the signal for Boro to switch to defensive mode and slow the play at every opportunity, helped by their ballboys. On 59 minutes, from Ward's corner, Cresswell won the initial header and Morgan had the chance to redeem himself but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked.

Bates picked up the game's first yellow card, for a foul on Cresswell, whilst Speed's first personnel change saw Bogdanovic replacing Evans. Right-back Nosworthy's throw gave United a half-chance but Montgomery fired over and then a patient build up resulted in Ward smashing wide of the angle from the edge of the penalty area.

Speed's second substitution was to take off the tiring Nosworthy with Quinn, forcing Montgomery to fill in at right back, whilst soon after the Blades switched to 4-4-2.

The Blades were seeing more of the ball in the closing stages but was from a home corner that the leveller nearly arrived on 85 minutes. Ward's pace caused problems on the break and his shot took a deflection and almost dropped into the path of Bogdanovic but he was just inches short of adding a decisive touch.

Four minutes of added time gave the Blades hope and Wheater was booked for deliberate handball. Steele got his body behind Ward's 30-yard free-kick and Bogdanovic fired over in a crowded penalty area following Taylor's delivery into the box as United attacked.

It was the final chance of the game and the home fans and Strachan breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle, whilst Blades supporters applauded the effort.

Boro: Steele, Bates, Wheater, McManus, McDonald, Boyd (Lita 70), Bailey, Kink (Arca 45), Robson, Halliday (Taylor 79), Kilgallon.
Unused: Hoyte, Miller, Coyne, Williams.

Blades: Simonsen, Nosworthy (Quinn 76), Montgomery, Morgan, Ertl, Britton, Evans (Bogdanovic 66), Taylor, Cresswell, Ward, Bartley.
Unused: Yeates, Aksalu, Kozluk, Quinn, James, Chapell.