Veteran striker Dean Saunders kept Sheffield United in the hunt for the Division One play-offs with possibly the most bizarre goal of his lengthy career.

Saunders, on for Gareth Taylor, struck in the last minute with United already leading by a Marcelo header and seemed to have ensured a comfortable 2-0 win until a goal deep into injury-time from Port Vale substitute Wayne Corden nicked one back for the visitors.

Paul Musselwhite had raced from his goal to intercept the ball only to put it out for a throw-in. As he turned round to race back to his goal Saunders took the throw-in, and, after seeing the ball hit the goalkeeper's back, the former Liverpool striker curled it into an empty net from 25 yards.

Earlier, United had a shaky start but should have gone ahead in the 18th minute when Graham Stuart squared the ball to Taylor, whose low drive was blocked by Musselwhite.

Stuart almost broke the deadlock minutes later, after defender Nicky Marker had picked out Wayne Quinn. The United wing-back passed inside to Stuart, whose powerful drive was heading for the goal until it took a deflection and flew over the top.

Sheffield-born Lee Mills was foiled by a stunning stop from Alan Kelly in the 35th minute, after David Holdsworth had earned a booking for a foul on Martin Foyle.

Mills cracked in a ferocious free-kick from 25 yards which Kelly, diving to his left, palmed away. The United goalkeeper was injured, though, when he took a knock from Gareth Ainsworth as they both went for the loose ball.

Marcelo set up Quinn minutes before the interval, squaring the ball to him. But as the United defender raced into the box he hit a tame shot straight at the Vale goalkeeper.

Defender Chris Wilder, in his second spell at Bramall Lane after moving from Bradford for £150,000 earlier in the week, set up Taylor with a teasing cross from the right.

The Welsh international was first to the ball, producing a powerful header before Musselwhite pounced to his left to turn the ball round the post.

Saunders, who replaced Taylor in the 56th minute, linked with Stuart, and the ex-Everton midfielder ran through unmarked before firing in a right-foot shot which lacked power, causing no problems for the Vale goalkeeper.

United's opener came in the 83rd minute, substitute Shaun Derry producing a long throw and Marcelo leaping above his marker to hit a looping header which went in off the post.

The Brazilian followed up with a South American style overhead kick, the ball beating Musselwhite but bouncing off the bar before Saunders grabbed United's second.

Corden pulled a goal back for the Potteries side in injury-time with a spectacular shot form 35 yards which flew into the top corner.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Kelly, Wilder, Quinn, Hamilton (Derry 76), Sandford, Holdsworth, Ford (Dellas 69), Marker, Taylor (Saunders 56), Marcello, Stuart.

Booked: Wilder, Holdsworth, Marker.

Goals: Marcello 83, Saunders 89.

Port Vale: Musselwhite, Hill, Stokes ( 76), Bogie, Glover, Barnett, Ainsworth, Talbot (Porter 71), Mills, Foyle, Jansson.

Subs Not Used: Naylor, Corden.

Booked: Glover.

Goals: Corden 90.

Att: 15,860

Ref: S G Bennett (Redhill).