In May 2009, United's dominance at Deepdale was not rewarded with a lead at half-time of the Championship play-off semi-final.

The Blades continually pushed Preston back after Sean St Ledger was gifted the opening goal. Brian Howard was instrumental in most of United's attacking endeavour and he grabbed the equaliser, just seconds into the second-half.

Ironically, United failed to win the semi-final first-leg when progressing to the play-off final in both 1997 and 2003.

Preston: Lonergan, Mawene, Sedgwick, Carter (Nicholson 71), St Ledger, McKenna, Jones, Wallace, Parkin, Nolan, Mellor (Brown 77).
Unused: Chilvers, Elliott, Neal.

Blades: Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson (Beattie 54), Montgomery, Ward (Lupoli 74), Howard, Quinn, Naughton, Walker.
Unused: Cotterill, Bennett, Bromby.

Referee: A Marriner
Attendance: 19,840