A goal twelve minutes from the end consigned United Reserves to defeat at Dronfield, a result that Mark Smith considered about right.
"It was probably partly my fault for putting on an extra striker in an effort to win the game but we are still a bit naive at times. We probably got what we deserved which was nothing," he said.
A surprise appearance as a triallist by free agent Vincent Pericard - on loan at the Lane earlier in his career - gave added interest to the fixture and he battled gamely in a difficult situation.
Walsall settled quicker and set a pattern that was indicative of the game, save for a period of home pressure when United got back on level terms after the break.
Reid's centre across the face of goal was all the Blades could rally muster in the initial stages, whilst at the other end Patterson fluffed a shooting chance and then forced Billard into stopping another drive at the second attempt.
It was generally end to end stuff with few clear cut chances although France, playing a one-two with Pericard before bending one over the bar, showed a bit more quality.
United came closest to breaking the deadlock, striking the woodwork just before the break. Good link-up play down the left between Reid, Stewart and Wilkinson led to a ball into the box which Pericard lashed against the post on the volley.
Walsall responded immediately through Patterson who shot firmly at Billard, and O'Keefe who was a yard wide of the left post with a drive from distance.
The visitors opened the scoring two minutes into the second period, GRIGG shooting past Billard when United were opened up down their right.
Even then efforts at goal were hard to come by and it took a penalty to get the Blades back in the game on the hour, with Pericard playing a big part.
He took Wilkinson's chipped pass on his chest and as he rolled off Partridge the defender hauled him down for a clear decision.
FRANCE firmly thumped the spot-kick past Ince - and repeated the feat when forced to retake because of encroachment.
United had got to grips with the game a little better by this stage but couldn't create anything, although Wilkinson had a half-chance which he couldn't control when trying a difficult finish.
On 78 minutes Walsall got the winner. Although Billard parried away a well-hit shot from Adkins, PATTERSON was in the right place to turn the ball into the net from the rebound.
And the United goalkeeper was forced to beat away another piledriver, this time by Grigg, just before the final whistle.
United: Billard, O'Kane, Stewart (Roe h-t), Wilkinson (Slew 76), Fortune, Darlow, France, James, Pericard, Foster, Reid (Murray 59).
Unused: Andrew, Maguire.
Walsall: Ince, Westlake, Sansara, Hickman, Partridge, O'Keefe, Adkins, Davies, Grigg, Patterson (Bowerman 80), Geddes.
Unused: Wood, McCourt, Overfield.
