Sheffield United's veteran striker David Kelly halted West Brom's promotion chase with a brilliant display.

Kelly was involved in both of the Blades' goals and the home side secured a deserved win.

The former Republic of Ireland international got the penalty, which Bobby Ford converted, to give United the lead.

The 35-year-old then fired in a first-time effort from 18 yards following good link-up play with midfielder Paul Devlin.

The Baggies failed to trouble United in the second half with their best spell coming in the opening 20 minutes.

Midfielder Tony Grant's curling shot from 20 yards forced the Blades keeper Simon Tracey to tip the ball over the bar.

On 20 minutes the home side came alive when Devlin hit the post from 20 yards before the danger was cleared for a corner.

Five minutes later United broke the deadlock when Kelly was brought crashing down by West Brom defender Tony Butler. Ford stepped up to fire the ball into the roof of the net from the spot, to score his second penalty in three games.

The goal seemed to boost the Blades, as Lee Sandford saw his long-range attempt deflected for a corner.

At the other end striker Lee Hughes failed to his the target with his close-range header.

After the break United started as they finished the opening 45 minutes. Michael Brown's cross met Ford's glancing header of Ford but the midfielder failed to hit the target.

But on 53 minutes the Blades did double their lead with Kelly's seventh goal of the season.

The 35-year-old played a delightful one-two with Devlin before firing into the bottom right-hand corner.

The home side continued to control the game as Devlin, who put in a man of the match performance, again troubled the West Brom defence. The United winger ran at goal before seeing his attempt blocked by James Chambers.

West Brom's only real chance in the second half fell to striker Jason Roberts on 73 minutes, but his 18-yard shot only forced Tracey into a fine save.

United again went close minutes later, when a deep cross fell to the unmarked Devlin at the far post. The former Birmingham star's shot was parried wide by Baggies keeper Brian Jensen.

At the death Hughes saw his scrambled attempt saved by Tracey as United continued their excellent home form.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk, Sandford, Murphy, Michael Brown, Woodhouse, Santos (Jagielka 84), Ford, Kelly, Devlin, Suffo (Thomas 66).

Subs Not Used: Quinn, Montgomery, Blackwell.

Goals: Ford 26 pen, Kelly 53.

West Brom: Jensen, Lyttle (Balis 50), Clement, Van Blerk (Carbon 27), James Chambers, Butler, Grant, Sneekes, Fox (Taylor 75), Hughes, Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Jordao.

Att: 22,281

Ref: W Burns (Scarborough).