Matt Holland ensured Ipswich completed a miserable day for Sheffield United when his 10th goal of the season ended the Blades' unbeaten record at Bramall Lane.

United, reeling from the loss of Nigel Spackman following his shock resignation earlier today, saw Holland's 18th-minute header send Town up into the play-off places - and put a major dent in their promotion hopes.

The home fans had expressed their frustration before the game, calling for the head of chief executive Charles Green, and their team's lacklustre display only added fuel to their anger.

Green authorised the sale of both Jan-Aage Fjortoft to Barnsley and Brian Deane to Benfica in January - a move which both stretched Spackman's patience and left the Blades hopelessly short in attack.

And United, under the temporary guidance of coaches Steve Thompson and Russell Slade, were also missing the midfield influence of Don Hutchison, who joined former team-mates Mitch Ward and Carl Tiler at Everton last month in a £1million move.

Ipswich exploited United's lack of creativity and completely dominated the middle of the park.

Bobby Petta was a constant thorn in United's side and it was his invention and pace which set up the goal.

Blades midfielder Bobby Ford hauled Petta down on the right wing after 18 minutes and the Dutchman picked himself up to find the unmarked Holland, who steered his header past Alan Kelly with ease from the free-kick.

But United had their share of chances, the best falling to veteran striker Ian Rush.

The former Liverpool hitman, on loan from Newcastle, nearly put his side ahead after 12 minutes but his vicious volley from Vas Borbokis' cross rattled the bar with Richard Wright beaten.

Rush also squandered the chance to put his side on level terms when he raced through the Ipswich defence but failed to beat the impressive Wright with his left foot shot.

The visitors were then content to soak up United's pressure and hit them on the break, and this ploy nearly paid off when Petta's 25 yard dipping shot beat Kelly but struck the cross bar.

United, who put Ipswich out of the FA Cup this season, came out fighting in the second half and Ford's thunderous 25-yard drive whistled just wide of the post.

But they were soon on the back-foot again and former Bury striker David Johnson went close to doubling his side's lead twice in the space of five minutes.

First he dragged a left-foot shot just wide of the far post after leaving the defence for dead.

Then his 63rd minute goalbound effort was bravely blocked by United skipper David Holdsworth.

Thompson and Slade tried desperately to change the pattern of the game, bringing Mark Beard and John Marcelo on for Borbokis and Shaun Derry.

But Ipswich held on for the three points to leapfrog Birmingham into sixth spot and increase the pressure on United to replace Spackman.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Kelly, Short, Quinn, Borbokis (Beard 60), Derry (Marcello 73), Holdsworth, Ford, Marker, Rush, Taylor, Stuart.

Subs Not Used: Katchouro.

Booked: Stuart, Beard.

Ipswich: Wright, Stockwell, Taricco, Dyer, Mowbray, Cundy, Clapham, Holland, Johnson, Mathie (Scowcroft 55), Petta (Sonner 63).

Subs Not Used: Tanner.

Goals: Holland 18.

Att: 14,120

Ref: A G Wiley (Burntwood).