After despair seven days previously; things turned around again at the top of the Championship as United ground out a win at Deepdale and saw rivals Leeds a similarly narrow game at Birmingham. United go back into second place with just six games to play. United were not at their best first half and maybe went into the break with a slightly undeserved lead with David McGoldrick reacting to stab home after John Egan’s header hit the bar. The second half the Blades improved and controlled things although Preston had some good chances on the break. The away should have put the game to bed though with Sharp missing two and Stevens also blazing over. In the end the Blades did a professional job and saw things out in front of almost 6,000 Blades fans.

It was mixed news for United on the injury front as Mark Duffy made it but Jack O’Connell did not, failing a late fitness test. Wilder opted to keep the same formation despite including both Dowell and Duffy, with the former beginning at left wing back and Stevens starting as the left of the three centre backs. Freeman was back on the bench for Marvin Johnson. Preston included both Ben Pearson and the returning Alan Browne and Callum Robinson was also back playing after a long period out injured. United will have been pleased that former nemesis’ Daniel Johnstone and Paul Gallagher were not playing, although the latter was on the bench.

The Blades started on the front foot and Baldock got down the right and as the ball came out, Norwood hit a shot that Rudd bobbled before grabbing at the second attempt. Slowly the home side started to take control though and Pearson busy and the main threat coming down the right-hand side as Preston sought to get at Dowell. Nmecha got away twice and from the second run, Basham had to make one block and Baldock even more crucially a second one as the shot came in that looked goal bound. United were a bit sloppy on the ball and Preston were shading things and the Lillywhites won a corner after Egan had to clear. Baldock was the main threat for United and two excellent runs saw him well placed but, on both occasions, his final ball was poor.

The first proper chance of the game came when Fleck was careless in possession and the ball was deflected into the path of Robinson who was in on goal, albeit on the angle. His low shot was pushed away by Henderson.

Nmecha went down as the keeper came out but it seemed a rather theatrical attempt to gain a penalty and rightly the appeals were waved away. Preston were getting a two on one overload down the right side and this continued to cause problems and United were not able to get much of their own passing game going against a fluent Preston side.

A decent move though from the visitors saw Norwood fire over after some intricate passing. Soon after they were able to get in front. United won a corner and Norwood hit it deep clearly looking for Egan at the back post who was completely unmarked. His looping header was pushed up against the bar by Rudd who made a bit of a mess of it; the ball dropped and McGOLDRICK turned it home from only a few yards.

Stevens blocked a Maguire effort and then Dowell had a weak shot easily saved. McGoldrick then nearly scored again after good work from Sharp but his shot was blocked just before the half time whistle.

The second half Preston had a great chance when United were caught on the break and Robinson was played in by Maguire but his shot was poor and straight at Henderson. United were now winning more of the loose balls and passing the ball better. They were clearly playing higher up the field and Norwood and Fleck starting to control things. However, Preston had the next chance with Nmecha swivelling and hitting the side netting.

However, despite Preston having these two opportunities, United were now the better side and slowly started to create things after good work in the middle of the field saw them get the ball into the front two. Sharp got a bit of fortune as the ball caromed off him and he was through on goal and had time to think about his finish but on his left foot, his effort was tipped over from Rudd. It was a great chance and maybe even better than the Robinson one. Not long after he had another chance as United attacked with numbers again. McGoldrick ran off Sharp who had the ball and he chose to go for goal but his effort as deflected behind. Once again, another good chance.

Moult was on for Robinson and then just after the hour mark Cranie came on for Dowell as Stevens went back to the left wing back role and soon after he should have settled things. Good work from Basham and Baldock, saw the ball come across and McGoldrick turned it towards goal. The defence completely miskicked and Stevens on his left foot was given a great chance but he blazed over. Gallagher was on for Preston.

Several key Basham interceptions and galloping runs were a feature of this improved United second half performance. Norwood was switching play very well and United were keeping possession much better. Still they had to be wary of Preston on the break.

Maguire headed wide from a deep cross and the game was now stretched with Preston clearly going for it with Stockley adding height to the attack and Wilder countered opting to bring Stearman on for Duffy. The defence moved around again with Egan going to the left and Cranie to the right and Basham moving more info midfield.

A good chance did come when the ball dropped for Gallagher but he fired miles over the bar drawing groans from the home fans who repeated this when the same man floated a free kick behind after a smart foul from Stevens stopped the break.

The game was now into the final few minutes and United were keeping the ball well and Hogan came on for Sharp. United managed to push the ball into the corners and ran down the clock well as the game went into four minutes of stoppage time. Preston did not threaten much as Stevens won a free kick as a frustrated Browne pushed him over in the corner. A late chance came when Preston won a corner and as it came over Stockley won the header but under pressure nodded a few yards wide as Henderson carefully watched it on its way. Soon after the final whistle went and United’s fans celebrated wildly after another twist in the promotion race.