The Blades sent Bristol City crashing out of the Nationwide First Division in a thrilling match at Bramall Lane.

Rock-bottom City needed a win to keep their slim hopes of survival alive but were hit by a 44th-minute goal from Marcelo.

The Brazilian latched on to Jonathon Hunt's through ball, beating the off-side trap before steering home.

Bristol desperately pushed forward looking for an equaliser but went further behind after 55 minutes. George Donis beat Jim Brennan down the left before pulling the ball back perfectly for Lee Morris to finish.

City refused to give up and pulled a goal back after 61 minutes. Brian Tinnion did well to get to the by-line before crossing for top scorer Ade Akinbiyi to head home.

But any hopes Bristol had of getting anything out of the game were dashed by Morris' second goal three minutes later.

Traianos Dellas showed superb skill inside the box before turning and pulling back a superb pass for the young striker to fire home.

And Morris was denied a hat-trick from the penalty spot by 'keeper Bo Anderson after substitute Tom Doherty was sent off for stopping Olivier Tebily's effort on the line with his hand.

City had made a lively start to the game and should have taken the lead after 11 minutes when Akinbiyi and Steve Torpey missed two attempts each from point-blank range.

Aaron Brown did well down the right flank before delivering a superb ball in for Akinbiyi, who saw his effort blocked on the line by Lee Sandford.

The ball came back to Akinbiyi but a second attempt span wide. The big striker returned the ball back into the area for strike partner Steve Torpey whose close-range header hit the bar, and a follow-up attempt was blocked by 'keeper Alan Kelly.

Sheffield hit the woodwork when Sandford's header crashed against the post from Hunt's corner.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Kelly, Derry, Kozluk, Dellas, Sandford (Jacobsen 70), Tebily, Donis, Hunt (Quinn 79), Marcello (Katchouro 83), Devlin, Morris.

Booked: Tebily, Devlin.

Goals: Marcello 44, Morris 55, 64.

Bristol City: Anderson, Brennan, Shail (Goodridge 40), Locke, Taylor, Carey, Howells (Doherty 56), Brown, Akinbiyi, Torpey, Tinnion.

Subs Not Used: Cramb.

Sent Off: Doherty (90).

Booked: Akinbiyi, Torpey.

Goals: Akinbiyi 61.

Att: 17,310

Ref: D Pugh (Wirral).