Craig Mackail-Smith was re-instated in the starting line-up and bagged the winner as Peterborough United bounced back from the disappointment of the home reverse to Coventry City to beat Sheffield United 1-0.

Ched Evans had the first effort of the game on three minutes but his low drive from 25-yards was easily saved by goalkeeper Joe Lewis, captaining the side for the third time. Lewis was clattered by Evans inside the opening five minutes and the former Manchester City was cautioned by referee Mr Singh.

Posh attacked moments later and forced the first save out of Mark Bunn as Lee Frecklington picked out Dominic Green whose fierce shot was pushed around the post by the United shot-stopper.

Frecklington then fired wide of the target with an acrobatic volley as Posh piled on the pressure. Evans was replaced by Henri Camara moments later with the striker failing to recover from the injury sustained in the collision with Lewis.

A left-footed effort from Frecklington flew over the bar from fully 25-yards as Jim Gannon's men continued to create the more noteworthy opportunities in front of goal. Nyron Nosworthy was cautioned for a foul on Mackail-Smith.

A forceful run from Mackail-Smith on 32 minutes saw him beat two defenders after using good upper body strength to brush off the attentions of Jamie Ward. Posh were getting up ahead of steam with Dickinson turning his man and delivering a cross into the box, which was well cleared by Morgan.

From the resulting set-piece, Posh opened the scoring as a left-wing corner from Green was left by Dickinson and Lee stooped to header onto the underside of the crossbar, the ball bounced into play and MACKAIL-SMITH gobbled up the opportunity.

Mclean hooked a volley into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Bunn moments later as the confidence returned to the Posh side.

Half-time: Posh 1-0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United made their final switch at half-time with Mark Yeates replacing Lee Williamson on the left hand side of midfield. Sergio Torres also replaced Frecklington, but came on without the consent of the fourth official and as result, the Argentine was cautioned without actually touching the ball.

The Blades were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after a high foot by Morgan, but James Harper sent the free-kick straight into the wall and then Gabriel Zakuani produced a fine block to deny the follow-up from Cresswell.

Posh reached the hour mark in a comfortable vain with goalkeeper Lewis still not called upon to make a meaningful save but with the Blades losing their previous six away games, the visitors were low in confidence.

Dominic Green curled a shot straight at goalkeeper Bunn while moments before Exodus Geohaghon replaced Mclean as Posh changed their system for the final 20 minutes. A great burst from full-back Mark Little into the box nearly created the second goal for the hosts as Bunn pushed the ball into the path of the onrushing Rowe, but he couldn't keep his volley down.

Yeates was cautioned for a foul on Rowe on 76 minutes as United tried to break. Dickinson was cautioned by the referee four a foul on Quinn. It was to be a tense final 10 minutes at London Road with both sides utilising the long throw although Nosworthy was clearly not as educated in the process, foul throwing to the amusement of all of the Posh fans inside the stadium.

Jordan Stewart was cautioned for a foul on the excellent Mackail-Smith on 83 minutes. Four minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official and inside the opening 60 seconds of that, the Blades won a corner after a clearance from Zakuani.

Morgan hooked a volley wide of the target from the resulting set-piece to the ironic cheers of the home faithful. Mackail-Smith saw a late header saved by Bunn before one last Blades attack was repelled as Morgan glanced a header wide.

FInal Score: Posh 1-0 Sheffield United

Posh: 1.Joe Lewis, 4.Craig Morgan, 5.Gabriel Zakuani, 6.Charlie Lee, 7.Liam Dickinson, 8.Lee Frecklington (sub Torres 46min), 9.Aaron Mclean (sub Geohaghon 68min), 12.Craig Mackail-Smith, 14.Tommy Rowe, 16.Mark Little, 25. Dominic Green. Substitutes: 13. James McKeown, 17.Jamie Day, 23.Billy Crook, 30.Scott Griffiths, 31.Nathan Koranteng.

Sheffield United: 23.Mark Bunn, 4.Nick Montgomery, 5.Chris Morgan, 6.Nyron Nosworthy, 9.Ched Evans (sub Camara 9mins), 12.Lee Williamson (sub Yeates 46min), 15.James Harper, 17.Richard Cresswell, 18.Jamie Ward (sub Quinn 41 min), 19.Jordan Stewart, 21.Kyle Bartley. Unused substitutes:13.Ian Bennett, 16.Andy Taylor, 20.Marcel Seip, 34.Matt Lowton.

Attendance: 6,674 (1,331 Sheffield United fans)