Sheffield United managed a narrow victory over a Coventry side now without a win in their last eight games away from the Ricoh Arena.

Billy Sharp headed the hosts into the lead before Gary Speed made it 2-0 when he followed up his penalty. Elliott Ward pulled one back from the spot for the visitors but the Blades managed to hang on for a vital three points.

After standing for a minute's silence in remembrance of former chairman Derek Dooley, it was Coventry who started the brighter.

The visitors went close early on with Scott Dann forcing a smart stop from home goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Kenny could only parry the ball and when the clearance found its way back to the feet of Dann, Kenny once again denied the Sky Blues defender.

Coventry's Michael Mifsud, who has 16 goals to his name in all competitions this season, fired a speculative effort goalbound in the ninth minute but Kenny saved well.

Leon Best blazed harmlessly over Kenny's crossbar before David Carney pulled a left-footed shot wide of the right-hand upright for the Blades as both sides continued to look for an opener.

The hosts did manage to put the ball in the net in the 18th minute but Sharp was ruled to have been offside after Carney's drive took a wicked deflection off the Blades frontman and ended up in the net.

Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Best but his curled effort from inside the box drifted over Kenny's crossbar.

Daniel Fox had a late chance for the away side and Carney tested Sky Blues stopper Andy Marshall from distance just before the break but neither side managed to break the deadlock.

Coventry's Jay Tabb, the match winner against Norwich at the weekend, had an effort blocked by Derek Geary and Kevin Thornton had a shot saved by Kenny as the Sky Blues went on the offensive.

Blades striker James Beattie, who has scored 15 league goals this season, was replaced by Rob Hulse in the 57th minute and Carney by Keith Gillespie in the 64th minute as boss Kevin Blackwell attempted to freshen things up.

And his decision paid off when Sharp headed a David Cotterill cross past Marshall from close range to put the home side 1-0 up in the 69th minute and to claim his first league goal for the Blades.

The hosts doubled their lead 12 minutes from time when Stephen Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Sharp in the box. After initially putting the ball down Sharp eventually handed the task of taking the resulting penalty to Speed. Speed's penalty was saved by Marshall but the veteran midfielder wrapped up the three points for United on the rebound.

Coventry pulled one back from the spot in the 81st minute after Morgan fouled Mifsud but it proved too little too late for Chris Coleman's struggling side.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith,Carney (Gillespie 64), Tonge, Speed, Cotterill (Ehiogu 90),Sharp, Beattie (Hulse 57).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stead.

Booked: Sharp, Hulse, Morgan.

Goals: Sharp 69, Speed 78.

Coventry Marshall, Dann, Ward, Osbourne, Fox, Tabb,Stephen Hughes, Doyle, Thornton, Mifsud, Best.

Subs Not Used: Ireland, Hall, Andrews, Simpson, Gray.

Booked: Ward, Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Fox, Osbourne.

Goals: Ward 81 pen.

Att: 23,864

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).