Assistant Blades boss Sam Ellis admitted that United regarded the 1-1 draw with QPR as two points lost, especially as the gap between them and the play-off places decreased:

"It was hard fought contest but we are only three points - or one game - from the top six. We are a bit deflated because we think that we did enough to win overall, but we are not feeling sorry for ourselves even though things haven't really fallen for us all season.

"The disappointing thing was that we gave away a sloppy goal just after half-time when we had spent all the first working hard to go in front - and we paid the price.

"On the plus side, the lads came back after that and managed to create - and miss - the best chance of the game in the 89th minute. But that happens sometimes and it is the human side of football which makes it so good.

"We feel that we coped well enough with the game to have won it although sometimes the players did get a bit nervous and started hacking at the ball which happens when confidence isn't at its highest."

The loss of Kyle Bartley to food poisoning meant United were only able to name six players on the bench, especially as Tony Kallio was yesterday confirmed as being out long-term:

"Problems are piling up because Tony looks like being out for six weeks and Kyle looks unlikely to be available against Blackpool on Tuesday night.

"Added to that, Chris Morgan was booked and will now be suspended for the next two matches. It means that we will definitely have to try and bring someone in on loan immediately.

"We have always got potential players on our radar and we enquired about one yesterday but didn't get him. It means that Sunday can be a busy day in football when you are chasing players."