Chris Morgan headed home a late winner for Sheffield United to confirm Crystal Palace's sixth-placed finish in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The defender nodded home with nine minutes remaining to ensure the Blades celebrated their return to the Premiership in style.

Iain Dowie's men arrived at Bramall Lane knowing they needed to secure maximum points to give themselves any hope of avoiding a sixth-placed finish.

Dowie rested 17-goal striker Andy Johnson ahead of the crucial forthcoming play-off encounters against Watford, who confirmed third spot with a 0-0 draw against Hull.

And in his absence, the Eagles posed precious little goal threat, suggesting the forgotten England striker holds the key to the club's hopes of securing an immediate return to the Barclays Premiership.

Despite that Palace threatened to strike the opening blow after four minutes when Jobi McAnuff raced down the left flank and sent a dangerous low delivery across the face of goal.

United defender David Unsworth produced a timely clearance at the far post to avert the danger with Clinton Morrison lurking.

After 15 minutes Eagles goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly was forced into action when former Palace striker Neil Shipperley, skipper for the day against his former employers, arrived at the far post to connect with Unsworth's deep free-kick.

The Hungary 'keeper made a routine stop from Shipperley's downward header but, in truth, events in the stands were more interesting than the fare served up on the pitch.

As United supporters basked in the glory of their club's return to the top-flight after a 12-year exile, a continuous human wave swept around the stadium.

Midway through the opening period, United midfielder Michael Tonge came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when he collected Chris Armstrong's short pass and thrashed a dipping 20-yard shot narrowly over the bar.

Palace threatened fleetingly on the counter-attack and shortly after the half hour mark, Unsworth was again on hand to block Marco Reich's shot at the far post.

Two minutes before the break, Morrison latched on to Ben Watson's perfect through-ball and fired low past Paddy Kenny only to see his effort harshly disallowed for an apparent offside infringement.

Phil Jagielka displayed his shooting power after 50 minutes but failed to keep his thunderous 20-yard strike on target as the ball fizzed narrowly over.

Three minutes later Danny Webber showed delightful footwork to outfox the Palace defence and pick out the unmarked Keith Gillespie with a teasing cross to the far post.

A goal looked a certainty but Gillespie scuffed his attempted volley and the chance went begging.

Morrison then headed over from Reich's right-wing cross before one former Palace striker replaced another as Ade Akinbiyi came on for Shipperley after 60 minutes.

Dowie made an attacking chance of his own soon after, replacing the ineffective Dougie Freedman with Jon Macken.

But United began to up the tempo and Morgan was on hand to head home Gillespie's right-wing cross with nine minutes remaining.

However, it was Blades veteran Brian Deane who had the final say, coming on for his farewell appearance in the 84th minute to rapturous applause.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Short (Lucketti 77), Morgan, Kozluk,Unsworth (Deane 84), Jagielka, Tonge, Gillespie, Armstrong,Shipperley (Akinbiyi 59), Webber.

Subs Not Used: Ifill, Geary.

Booked: Unsworth.

Goals: Morgan 81.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Ward (Hudson 76), Popovic, Borrowdale,Fitz Hall (Butterfield 58), McAnuff, Watson, Soares, Reich,Freedman (Macken 66), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Leigertwood, Speroni.

Booked: Popovic, Butterfield.

Att: 27,120

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).