United's second string made it three consecutive wins in the totesport.com league with a deserved victory at Moss Rose on Wednesday.

Goals from trialists Bryan Hughes and Tyrone Berry secured three points for the Blades, who completed the league double over Macclesfield Town, with another encouraging display.

Estonian international Mihkel Aksalu started in goal for United, but a lacklustre start from the visitors in testing conditions on a lively pitched handed the home side the initiative early on.

Macclesfield made their pressure count in the 25th minute when MUKENDI latched on to a through ball to beat Aksalu on the angle.

Ten minutes later, though, United were back on level terms from the penalty spot. Lowton overlapped on the right before his run was brought to an end by a challenge from Kompany and HUGHES confidently stepped up from twelve yards to restore parity.

The Silkmen nearly regained the lead from the restart, Wilson beat his marker before freeing Tipton, but the striker saw his low effort well saved by Aksalu.

Despite a couple of half-chances for the home side, United seemed to have found some rhythm and took the lead just before the interval. Lowton whipped a ball in from the right and BERRY was on hand to finish after Ahmadi's header had hit the woodwork.

The second-half began with the hosts pressing for an equaliser. Tipton and Thomas combined to tee up Roberts but the ball hit the post before being cleared for a corner, from which Mukendi saw his shot saved by Aksalu.

Ahmadi came close to adding a third but Veiga made a smart reflex save, whilst at the other end Wilson saw his effort well blocked when through on goal.

From then on United looked pretty comfortable and kept possession well in parts as they continue to claim the table.

Coach Mark Smith reserved a special mention for Bryan Hughes following the success:

"I thought Bryan was instrumental for us, especially in the second-half, and his experience seems to have given a few of the younger lads that bit more confidence on the ball - he is an example to follow.

"We have played at a better tempo in the last three matches and it is nice to get some momentum going, which we must look to maintain until the end of the season."

Macclesfield: Veiga, Lowe, Thomas, Kompany, Jukes, Wilson (Cook), Roberts, Beckett (Daniels), France, Mukendi, Tipton (Askey).

Blades: Aksalu, Lowton, Roe, James, Pomares, Darlow (Brown 75), Berry, Hughes, Ahmadi (Foster 55), Gregory, Pennycooke-Morgan (Chappell 75).
Unused: Billard, Wilkinson.