United Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season - and their lofty league position - with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Darlington at a cold and windy Don Valley Stadium.

The visitors' experience and physical strength always threatened to be a handful for the Blades youngsters, but they stuck to their guns and tried to maintain their footballing principles.

United had the game's first opening just pass the quarter hour mark when Law and Donnelly sliced open the defence. But Donnelly's shot was bravely blocked by the goalkeeper and the Irishman should have done better than unaccountably put the loose ball wide of the post.

Some hefty challenges from Darlington went unpunished as the referee sought to keep things moving, and the conditions didn't help.

The north-easterners best spell of the half came in the middle, with Bennett having to kick clear twice and Ross surviving a handball appeal as he brought the ball out of the area.

But the home goal didn't come under direct threat and United fashioned another clear opportunity, Oliver crossing from the right and Abdi's clever turn and angled drive being beaten out by Oakes.

It was the signal for the Blades to regain the initiative although there had been little goalmouth action at either end.

Gordon replaced Oliver at the break but Darlington turned up the heat on the restart, forcing a series of corners that were well defended.

And United built on that by taking a 57th minute lead with a superb goal. ABDI picked up the ball on the left hand corner of the penalty-area, looked up and curled a stunning, right-footed shot into the far top corner of the net.

Within two minutes the margin was doubled when a corner wasn't properly cleared and LAW volleyed in low from the edge of the box past the unsighted goalkeeper.

That seemed to stun Darlington's pride as they hit back after 62 minutes, REAY turning the ball home from close range after Blundell headed Wainwright's centre into his path.

The game had become a much livelier affair with some much needed attacking threat, and Bennett twice showed his ability by holding on to a couple of goalbound headers.

For United the game was only marred by a caution for Kerry for holding on to the ball at a free-kick which seemed ironic given some of the previous unpunished challenges.

Coach Ron Reid was a happy man afterwards: "I am really proud of the lads tonight. They were up against a more experienced, physically stronger side but we played our football and, in my opinion, deserved to win."

United: Bennett; Chapman, Ross, Wedgbury, Naughton; Kerry, Ashmore, Law, Donnelly; Oliver (Gordon h-t), Abdi.
Unused: Lowton, Eagers, Walker, Yates.

Darlington: Oakes; Wiseman, Brackstone, Keltie, Collins, Burgess, Wainwright, McBride, Reay, Blundell, Palmer.
Unused: Todd, Moody, Mulligan, Moss, Dobby.

Goals: United - Abdi (57), Law (59). Darlington - Reay (62)