A controversial penalty from David Cotterill heaped more misery on faltering Birmingham and put Sheffield United's promotion bid back on track with a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane.

An own goal from Blades skipper Chris Morgan 17 minutes from time looked to have given Alex McLeish's stuttering side a point.

But referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot with nine minutes remaining when Blades striker Craig Beattie went down in the penalty area when there appeared to be minimal contact from Blues defenders Stephen Carr and Radhi Jaidi.

Cotterill kept his composure and slotted home the resulting spot-kick to give United three precious points.

Danny Webber had put Kevin Blackwell's side in front just before half-time, firing home from close range following a knockdown from Darius Henderson, who appeared to be marginally offside.

Birmingham came into the game knowing a victory would take them level on points with leader Wolves, but once again a shortage of goals was their downfall.

Blues have now won just two of their last 10 games, while the Blades are up to fifth, six points behind Alex McLeish's side with a game in hand.

Ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire, McLeish urged his strikers to step up the plate in the absence of the injured Kevin Phillips and Marcus Bent almost put them in front just seven minutes in.

Hameur Bouazza whipped in a free-kick from the left and the former Blades striker headed against the crossbar with Paddy Kenny beaten.

The Blades responded and Webber had an excellent opportunity to put them in front but his control let him down in the penalty area, much to the frustration of the home supporters.

But it was Birmingham who looked the more likely to open the scoring, with Carlos Costly heading over the bar after 21 minutes.

And a minute later Scott Sinclair skipped past Morgan down the left and chipped over the advancing Kenny but his finish drifted away from goal.

United came close 12 minutes before the break when Henderson's header was cleared off the line by Carr and Webber headed the rebound straight at Maik Taylor.

But they were in front three minutes before half-time when Henderson headed the ball into the path of the unmarked Webber, who smashed the ball past Taylor.

Cameron Jerome replaced Honduras striker Costly at half-time and McLeish sent his players out early for the second half, but it was United who looked more sprightly in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Midfielder Stephen Quinn was as industrious as ever and Cotterill was proving to be a dangerous outlet.

Henderson had an opportunity to double United's lead after 56 minutes but was unable to get a good contact on Greg Halford's deep cross.

And two minutes later the former Watford striker was presented with another opportunity when Cotterill picked him out but his header looped wide of the target.

It was all one-way traffic and United came even closer to doubling their lead after 61 minutes when Matt Kilgallon's towering header was saved by Taylor and the ball fell into the path of skipper Morgan, who was denied by the Blues goalkeeper at point-blank range.

But the visitors were level with 17 minutes remaining with goal that came out of the blue.

Full-back David Murphy was allowed too much space on the left and United were made to pay as he whipped in an inviting cross that was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Morgan.

But the Blades restored their lead nine minutes from time when on-loan striker Beattie tumbled in the area following minimal contact from Carr and Jaidi.

And Cotterill held his nerve to send Taylor the wrong way from the spot.

Teams:

Sheff Utd Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith,Cotterill, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Halford (Bromby 79),Henderson (Beattie 72), Webber (Ward 77).

Subs Not Used: Lupoli, Howard.

Booked: Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Naughton.

Goals: Webber 44, Cotterill 83 pen.

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Carr, Jaidi, Queudrue, Murphy,Sinclair (McSheffrey 70), Carsley, Fahey, Bouazza, Bent,Costly (Jerome 46).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Martin Taylor, Johnson.

Booked: Bouazza, Carr, Carsley.

Goals: Morgan 74 og.

Att: 24,232

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).