Sheffield United put their play-off chances in jeopardy with a 2-1 defeat at Gresty Road.

The Blades now need to win the final game of the season at Stockport to guarantee a place in the play-offs.

If United slip out of the top six and let seventh-placed Birmingham leapfrog them, it will be the first time they have dropped below the top six all season.

Crewe took the lead during an action-packed two-minute spell in the final 10 minutes.

From a Seth Johnson corner, Dave Walton flicked on at the near post and Colin Little latched on to finish with a deft header.

A minute later Crewe made it two. Kevin Street fired in a left-wing cross and Steve Anthrobus finished with a bullet header which gave visiting keeper Simon Tracey no chance.

There was drama at the other end when Sheffield substitute Petr Katchouro was felled by Lee Unsworth inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot and Graham Stuart stepped forward.

But Nigerian goalkeeper Ademole Bankole did his World Cup ambitions no harm with a terrific penalty save.

United pulled one back with a minute to go to set up a nail-biting finale when Dean Saunders fired in a shot which looped up in the box.

Bankole came to collect but midfielder Ian Hamilton reacted quickest to head the ball into the back of the net.

United had made a nervous start and looked shaky as Crewe forced them back with a pacey attacking display.

Steve Garvey came close to opening the scoring as he pounced on a loose ball to fire over the bar.

But it was Little who came closest to breaking the first-half deadlock after Anthrobus unlocked the Sheffield defence with a superb through-ball.

Little pulled the trigger but Tracey saved seconds before the half-time whistle sounded.

United regrouped in the second half and fought their way back into the game. From a Wayne Quinn free-kick, Lee Sandford headed on for Stuart to shoot but Crewe's Nigerian keeper stood up well to save the shot.

Bankole was forced into action a moment later to save well from a Marcelo shot before Crewe hit back to put the game out of United's reach with their late two-goal salvo.

Crewe: Bankole, Bignot, S. Smith, Unsworth, Walton, Charnock, Garvey, Johnson, Anthrobus, Little (Lunt 86), Street.

Subs Not Used: Foran, P. Smith.

Booked: S. Smith.

Goals: Anthrobus 82, Little 82.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Nilsen (O'Connor 45), Sandford, Wilder, Saunders, Hamilton, Devlin, Marcello (Katchouro 69), Stuart (Morris 85).

Booked: Wilder, Stuart.

Goals: Hamilton 90.

Att: 5,759

Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).