Sheffield United's promotion to the Barclays Premiership was confirmed after Leeds were held at home by Reading.

Kevin Blackwell's side were required to secure maximum points against the champions to keep alive their faint hopes of pipping the Blades to a second-placed finish.

But a solitary point ensured Neil Warnock's men cannot now be caught in the race for automatic promotion.

The draw, which saw Reading substitute Stephen Hunt cancel out Rob Hulse's 46th- minute opener, left Leeds fans bitterly disappointed but sparked wild celebrations 34 miles down the M1 in Sheffield.

Warnock's men, who have been perched in second spot for the vast majority of the season, are worthy winners of a return to the top-flight after a 12-year exile.

They suffered a wobble in recent weeks but Leeds failed to capitalise and ultimately it was the Blades who held their nerve to complete a momentous promotion.

Leeds travel to Sheffield to face the Blades on Tuesday night and Sheffield-born Blades boss Warnock could not have scripted the promotion party any better himself.

Leeds boss Blackwell had not seen his side score for 408 minutes until Hulse's predatory strike shortly after the restart - but Hunt bundled home a late equaliser to leave Leeds winless in seven matches.

Blackwell admitted this week he considered quitting Elland Road after receiving hate mail from fans following the side's loss of form in the race for automatic promotion.

The abuse from a minority of supporters has, according to reports, included threats of physical violence and the 47-year-old fears for the safety of his family, but fans soon began to chant his name.

And on the pitch, Blackwell's men players began reasonably well against the champions.

Midfielder Shaun Derry found space to shoot low from around 12 yards after six minutes but his effort lacked power and Royals goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann saved comfortably.

David Healy then fired over with an ambitious long-range effort before Reading began to gain a foothold on proceedings.

A defensive mix-up from Leeds allowed Royals winger Bobby Convey to burst into the 18-yard box and fire narrowly wide after 19 minutes.

Hulse led the line superbly and midway through the opening period he provided a neat lay-off to Jonathan Douglas on the edge of the box.

The on-loan Blackburn midfielder struck the ball low and hard but again Hahnemann had no difficulty dealing with the effort.

But the hosts should have opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Hulse connected with Stephen Crainey's left-wing cross only to send a glancing header wide.

The miss epitomised Leeds' profligacy in front of goal but their drought finally ended two minutes after the restart.

The industrious Derry found space down the left flank and produced a low cross which Hulse tucked away at the near post for his 13th goal of the season.

The goal completely lifted the crowd but Reading continued to threaten and were rewarded with five minutes remaining when Hunt bundled home Ivar Ingimarsson's header from Brynjar Gunnarsson's cross.

Teams

Leeds Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Miller,Bakke (Moore 83), Derry, Douglas, Healy (Beckford 86),Hulse (Graham 76).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Pugh.

Goals: Hulse 47.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty (Gunnarsson 83), Sonko, Ingimarsson,Shorey, Oster (Hunt 64), Harper, Sidwell, Convey,Doyle (Long 78), Kitson.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin.

Goals: Hunt 85.

Att: 24,535

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).