Matthew Kilgallon's late header sent Sheffield United up to second in the Coca-Cola Championship for a couple of hours and ended Derby's 100% record at Pride Park this season.

Former Leeds central defender Kilgallon rose to head Keith Treacy's free-kick past Stephen Bywater with 11 minutes remaining to maintain United's unbeaten record in the Championship.

Blades striker Darius Henderson had a goal disallowed in the first half and Derby looked set to keep only their second clean sheet of the season until Kilgallon struck to silence the home supporters.

Both sides showed positive intent early on and on-loan Blades winger Treacy came close with a left-foot strike from 12 yards out.

Treacy

featured prominently in the opening 15 minutes and he had two more opportunities but failed to test Rams goalkeeper Bywater.

The Blades continued to ask questions of the Derby defence and Bywater had to be alert to deny Irish midfielder Stephen Quinn.

United had a goal disallowed when Bywater parried Jamie Ward's shot

into the path of Henderson, who slotted the ball into the net but had his celebrations cut short due to an offside flag.

Nigel Clough's side finally forged an opportunity but former Blades striker Rob Hulse volleyed over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

Henderson spurned an opportunity to put the visitors in front when he fired over the bar from just six yards out after 32 minutes.

The Rams created the first opportunity of the second half but Hulse headed straight at United keeper Mark Bunn.

Kevin Blackwell's side responded and Henderson missed another chance to break the deadlock, firing wide from the centre of the penalty area.

Clough replaced Paul Green with on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore as the home side looked to push on for all three points.

Former Watford striker Henderson was once again given an opportunity to put United in front but failed to make the most of the chance.

On-loan United defender Kyle Walker rose at the back post to meet Treacy's corner but his header was off target.

Kris Commons entered the fray with 18 minutes remaining and the Blades introduced big-money summer signing Ched Evans.

Scotland forward Commons was in the thick of the action straight away when his inviting corner was met by Hulse, who should have opened the scoring but powered a header wide of the target.

Gary Teale tried his lucky from 25 yards out but his drive was straight at the alert Bunn.

But it was United who took the lead against the run of play with 11 minutes remaining when Kilgallon rose to head Treacy's free-kick beyond Bywater.

Ward should have added a second goal in stoppage time but Bywater produced a good save to deny the former Chesterfield man.

Teams:

Derby Bywater, Connolly, Addison, Barker (Leacock 90), Moxey,Croft (Commons 73), Savage, Green (Livermore 62), Teale,Pearson, Hulse.

Subs Not Used: Deeney, McEveley, Buxton, Dickov.

Booked: Savage, Pearson.

Sheff Utd Bunn, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Taylor, Ward,Harper, Montgomery, Treacy (Cotterill 81), Quinn (France 88),Henderson (Evans 75).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Reid, Little.

Booked: Montgomery, Henderson, Morgan, Cotterill.

Goals: Kilgallon 80.

Att: 28,441

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).