Forwards Paul Devlin and Paul Peschisolido haunted former club Birmingham to
boost the Blades' First Division promotion hopes.
Devlin converted a 42nd minute penalty to hand United a two-goal lead after
Shaun Murphy had opened the scoring just after the half hour mark from close
range.
Peschisolido put the game beyond Birmingham's reach with a point blank header
on 64 minutes to end United's run of five games without a win.
Geoff Horsfield headed a late consolation goal for Birmingham three minutes
from full-time.
The Blues looked the livelier of the two sides in the opening 25 minutes.
As early as the first minute Nicky Eaden saw his 10-yard shot deflected wide
for a corner, while former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Danny Sonner forced
United keeper Simon Tracey into a fine save from his volley.
But despite Birmingham's positive play, it was the home side who broke the
deadlock.
Rob Kozluk's deep free-kick was headed back across goal by Keith Curle only
for striker Laurent D'Jaffo to head the ball against the Birmingham bar.
But before the Blues defenders could clear the danger Murphy stepped up to tap
the ball into an empty net.
Birmingham nearly found themselves further behind when Jerry Gill had to clear
off the line from Peschisolido.
United, who were fielding three former Birmingham players, doubled their lead
with three minutes of the half remaining.
Peschisolido was given space to flick the ball up and it hit Eaden's hand.
Referee Michael Jones had no option but to point to the spot.
Devlin, deputising for the suspended Bobby Ford, stepped up to blast the ball
past Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett.
After the break the Blues rarely threatened United's goal, their best
opportunity coming as early as the 47th minute.
Kozluk was forced to clear off the line after Horsfield connected with a
Sonner cross.
United went close on 63 minutes, piling on the misery for the visitors when
Peter Ndlovu connected to a Devlin cross after a slip from Eaden.
Ndlovu, who was making his home debut after moving from St Andrews, could only
fire his shot straight at the charging Bennett.
The home side were not to be denied their third of the afternoon a minute
later when Peschisolido netted his second goal in as many games.
The on-loan Fulham forward met a Michael Brown cross two yards out to leave
Bennett with no chance.
Birmingham were dead and buried and lacked confidence to push forward.
But on 87 minutes a Jon McCarthy cross was headed home by Horsfield, but it
was too little too late for the Worthington Cup finalists.
Teams:
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk, Sandford, Murphy, Curle, Devlin,
Brown, Santos, Ndlovu, Peschisolido (Montgomery 86),
D'Jaffo (Kelly 81).
Subs Not Used: Ullathorne, Uhlenbeek, Suffo.
Goals: Murphy 31, Devlin 40 pen, Peschisolido 64.
Birmingham: Bennett, Eaden, Tiler, Michael Johnson,
Gill (McCarthy 47), Grainger, Woodhouse, Sonner,
Lazaridis (Hughes 76), Horsfield, Adebola (Andrew Johnson 57).
Subs Not Used: Poole, Bass.
Booked: Woodhouse, Gill.
Goals: Horsfield 89.
Att: 19,313
Ref: M Jones (Chester).
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