Gary Naysmith completed ninety minutes on his return to action after knee surgery, on what was otherwise a disappointing afternoon, as United's second string lost 4-1 against Derby County at Bramall Lane on Wednesday afternoon at the Lane.

Naysmith made several encouraging steps in the totesport.com league encounter along with Lee Williamson, but the Rams dominated from start to finish, as the Blades only had a Henri Camara goal to show for their efforts.

Derby were quickly into their stride and opened the scoring with the first meaningful attack after five minutes.

Naysmith fouled Prijovic allowing Mills to whip in a free-kick from the right, which was headed home by JOHNSON at the back-post.

Both teams then wasted good chances, with Camara for the Blades and Prijovic for County the guilty parties, before OJAMAA doubled the Rams advantage from inside the area after United's backline was caught square.

In the 24th minute Slew missed a golden opportunity to get the Blades back in the game, firing over from close-range after a mazy run by the dangerous Camara.

Four minutes later United pulled one back through CAMARA, who capitalised on some indecision by Johnson to calmly beat Atkins.

With United seemingly starting to dictate proceedings, Williamson and Camara were both denied after County's defence failed to clear a Brown cross, before the right-back powered over from 30 yards.

As the first-half reached it conclusion Derby regained their two-goal advantage. Garton freed Ojamaa in midfield, his pass released PRIJOVIC who fired home a powerful volley from the edge of the area.

After a slow start to the second-half, County made sure of all three points. PRIJOVIC rose highest for a Mills corner and headed the ball home with Billard only able to look on.

Swiss striker Prijovic should have been taking home the matchball in the 67th minute, but he failed to apply the finishing touch after the Blades hadn't cleared another set-piece.

Williamson and Reid saw long-range efforts sail over as United tried in vain to mount a comeback, with Maguire missing the best chance after Brown had picked him out with a pinpoint pass.

Coach Mark Smith admitted the Blades got what they deserved from the game, but was happy to see Naysmith come through the game unscathed:

"It was over before it began really; we were slow out of the traps and paid the price with two poor goals.

"That gave us a bit of a kick-up the backside, but after pulling one back, we made more basic mistakes and allowed them to take complete control.

"The main positive of course is Gary coming back, but overall it was an ordinary display and a bad day at the office for us."

Blades: Billard, Brown, Naysmith, Williamson, Maguire, Darlow (Chappell H/T), Little, France, Camara, Slew (Foster H/T), Reid.
Unused: Andrew, Roe, S-Latef.

Derby: Atkins (Severn 81), Garton, Dudley, Abalimba, Johnson, McEveley, Mills (Dillon 74), Ojamaa (Keane 81), Prijovic, Mendy, Connolly.