Lee Hendrie eased the pressure on manager Bryan Robson as Sheffield United clinched their first Coca-Cola Championship win in five matches with an unlikely victory over new-look QPR.

Hendrie converted his first league goal for the Blades, who transformed their fortunes with two goals in five second-half minutes.

Patrick Agyemang marked his first start for QPR with a goal on the stroke of half-time and the Londoners appeared to be cruising until Damion Stewart's own goal handed Robson's under-achievers a lifeline in the 64th minute.

Hendrie then pounced five minutes later from close range thanks to Billy Sharp's persistence on the edge of the box and the Blades went on to dominate, with Rob Hulse's 76th-minute header hitting the crossbar.

The fast-improving Londoners, fielding six of manager Luigi De Canio's eight new signings, had won three of their four previous league matches and started strongly, with Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky twice going close early on.

But the Blades, skippered by on-loan Bolton midfielder Gary Speed on his home debut, carved out several of their own chances, with Rob Hulse and David Carney threatening.

Blades defender Leigh Bromby headed Hendrie's third-minute corner over the crossbar, but the visitors were quicker into their stride.

Buzsaky's 25-yard shot was well held by Paddy Kenny and the Blades goalkeeper did even better soon after to tip the Hungarian midfielder's free-kick over the crossbar.

Buzsaky then volleyed wide, but the home side responded with Carney on target with a long-range shot that Lee Camp saved before Hulse's header brought the best out of visiting goalkeeper, who turned it round his post.

Hulse headed wide and Carney fired a free-kick over on the half-hour mark as United stepped up a gear.

Agyemang wasted a gilt-edged chance to put QPR ahead against the run of play when heading wide from only six yards in the 37th minute.

The Blades made four changes to the side that upset Bolton last week, with Speed, Michael Tonge, Hulse and Billy Sharp all returning.

Agyemang and Lee made their first starts for QPR, while Vine, who made his loan move to Loftus Road permanent this week, returned to the starting line-up.

QPR dominated possession immediately after the break and denied their hosts any goalscoring chances until Hendrie dragged his shot wide from only six yards in the 58th minute.

The former Aston Villa midfielder had earlier been booked for dissent, but the home side's frustrations eased in the 62nd minute when Stewart put through his own goal.

Tonge's 25-yard shot was parried by Camp and the ball rebounded off the hapless Stewart and into the bottom corner.

Within six minutes the Blades stole an unlikely lead. Sharp's persistence on the right paid off and when he pulled the ball back across goal Hendrie pounced to fire home into the top corner.

Hendrie was immediately replaced by Jon Stead, while De Canio sent on Dexter Blackstock for defender Chris Barker.

The home side thrived on their good fortune and created further chances as their confidence soared.

Hulse's header from Matt Kilgallon's cross came back off the woodwork, Derek Geary fired wide from 25 yards and Hulse pulled a close-range effort wide as United chased a third.

Teams:

Sheff Utd Kenny, Bromby, Kilgallon, Armstrong,Geary (Gillespie 84), Carney, Hendrie (Stead 69), Speed, Tonge,Hulse, Sharp (Shelton 90).

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Lucketti.

Booked: Hendrie.

Goals: Stewart 64 og, Hendrie 69.

QPR Camp, Barker (Blackstock 73), Connolly, Hall, Stewart,Mahon, Buzsaky, Rowlands, Lee, Agyemang, Vine.

Subs Not Used: Bolder, Ainsworth, Walton, Ephraim.

Booked: Blackstock.

Goals: Agyemang 45.

Att: 28,894

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).