A massively inexperienced United side found life hard against Burton but made things harder themselves by conceding two cheap penalties which put the game beyond their reach.

Albion surged forward from the start and within two minutes produced a move that ended with Billard forced to dive to his left to fingertip Maghoma's angled low cross-shot beyond his own left-hand post.

Whilst the Blades enjoyed a bout of reasonable possession the visitors dominated in terms of creativity and Harrad wasted a good chance by firing too high when he should have hit the target.

Then Goodfellow curled his effort beyond the far angle, and moments afterwards made a hash of another clear opportunity after Maghoma's defence splitting pass.

But the Blades' luck didn't last longer than 27 minutes because Billard was penalised for bringing down HARRAD during a goalmouth scramble and the striker confidently struck the penalty past the luckless goalkeeper.

United's youngsters, desperate to do well, hurried their play and consequently squandered possession far too easily, not allowing themselves time to build confidence and a platform to mount pressure.

Wilkinson's clearance off the line just before the interval at least kept them in the match but another spot-kick two minutes after the restart realistically put it beyond them.

Brown was left exposed as he tangled with Gilroy in the corner of the box and the award was given for HARRAD to firmly convert.

The response was immediate but after latching onto Murray's chip forward Foster was eventually thwarted after holding off a challenge.

It looked as if a home goal might best be arrived at via a free-kick and Roe was given a chance from where he scored recently but he was off-target this time after a foul on the game Foster.

Maguire picked up a caution for his challenge on the tricky Goodfellow and just past the hour Burton extended their lead when HARROD turned Maguire and slammed the ball into the net from 14 yards to register his hat-trick.

Goodfellow was again the supplier a minute later but Harrad, sliding in, put the ball wide with the empty goal gaping.

Albion substitute Minott was booked for a challenge on Billard who later recovered after treatment and pulled off a flying save to palm away Goodfellow's shot from distance.

The Blades were well-beaten but produced their best move in the final minute. Pomares sweetly slid James into the box but his first-time shot was blocked by the quickly onrushing goalkeeper.

United: Billard. Brown, Roe, Wilkinson (Murray h-t), Darlow, Lammy (Slew 59), James, Foster, Gregory, S-Latef (Pomares 75).
Unused: Andrew, Pennycooke-Morgan.

Burton: Redmond, Grocutt, Webster, Penn, Stride, Brown, Goodfellow, Maghoma, Harrad (Minott 75) Knowles, Gilroy (Burke 75).
Unused: Marsh.