David Unsworth enjoyed a dream Ipswich debut at Sheffield United as his superb goal helped the Championship pacesetters stretch their lead to five points in the race for the Premiership.

The veteran defender, on loan from Premiership Portsmouth until the end of the season, raced onto a Shefki Kuqi through-ball 20 minutes into his first game outside the top-flight before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.

Ipswich survived a number of United attacks before Kuqi himself effectively killed the game on the hour when he poached a second from six yards.

As expected, Unsworth was given the nod at left-back, while Ipswich also recalled skipper Jim Magilton, with Kevin Horlock and young American Daniel Karbassiyoon, on loan from Arsenal, dropping to the bench.

United, looking to avenge their 5-1 thrashing at Portman Road in November, made one change from the side that drew 1-1 with West Ham last week, Danny Cadamarteri recalled in place of Andy Liddell.

But the former Everton striker did himself no favours when he latched onto a through-ball in the opening 10 minutes and, with two defenders still to beat, opted to shoot from the edge of the area when Andy Gray was screaming for the ball on the overlap.

Gray showed him how it should be done moments later when he unleashed a sizzling angled volley from 10 yards which Kelvin Davis was at full stretch to turn behind.

United were not done, however, and Phil Jagielka powered a free header over the crossbar from Jon Harley's resulting corner.

Ipswich had little answer in the very early stages, Kuqi's speculative 30-yard effort clearing Paddy Kenny's crossbar by some distance.

But then Kuqi redeemed himself when he picked the ball up just inside the Blades half and drifted out to the left before sliding an inch-perfect pass to Unsworth.

The former Everton man bore down on Kenny's goal from wide on the left before firing home.

The goal seemed to deflate United and lift Ipswich in equal measure, with the home side's attacks looking more and more bereft of ideas and the visitors happy to hit on the break.

Still, United should have equalised moments before half-time when a Michael Tonge free-kick was headed wide by defender Leigh Bromby.

And the home side began the second half fresh from what only can have been a dose of Neil Warnock's unique brand of motivation, with Gray speeding unchallenged into the Ipswich box before forcing a decent save from Davis.

An even better save soon followed as Tonge saw a 25-yard curler clawed behind as it headed towards the top corner.

Sensing United's resurgence, Joe Royle replaced Darren Currie with the more robust Horlock in an attempt to shore up his midfield.

It seemed to work, with only a last-ditch Tonge tackle denying Kuqi a chance of doubling the visitors' advantage on the hour.

But the Finn had the last laugh moments later as a corner eventually fell to Ian Westlake, whose shot deflected right into Kuqi's path, the striker tapping the ball home from six yards.

Warnock's desperation was evident as he threw on both Alan Quinn and Liddell for Nick Montgomery and Derek Geary, and - less than 10 minutes later - Cadamarteri departed for the more physical Ashley Ward.

But the Blades boss found that his last throw of the dice was to no avail, with opposite number Royle's only concern seeing top scorer Darren Bent - who turns 21 tomorrow - go down injured late on, eventually being replaced in stoppage time by Dean Bowditch.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Geary (Liddell 67), Harley, Bromby, Cullip, Morgan, Jagielka, Montgomery (Quinn 66), Tonge, Gray, Cadamarteri (Ward 76).

Subs Not Used: Thirlwell, Shaw.

Booked: Tonge.

Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Unsworth, Naylor, Magilton, Miller, Currie (Horlock 51), Westlake, Bent (Bowditch 88), Kuqi.

Subs Not Used: Richards, Karbassiyoon, Price.

Goals: Unsworth 20, Kuqi 61.

Att: 20,680

Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).