Paul Coutts gets away from Scunthorpe skipper Stephen Dawson at Bramall Lane

Tom Hopper and Paddy Madden got the goals for The Iron on a day that summed up a campaign for United...hugely disappointing.

Nigel Adkins made two changes to the starting XI which lost to Coventry last week - Martyn Woolford and Dean Hammond came in and out went Ben Whiteman and Ryan Flynn.

Sheffield United's Martyn Woolford tussles with Scunthorpe's Stephen Dawson

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It was United who began on the front foot against a visiting team with a lot more to play for an content to soak up the early pressure and attack on the break.

David Edgar and Chris Basham each had a half chance to open the scoring in the opening 10 minutes, but the former's header was deflected wide for a corner and Basham miscued his attempt from 10 yards and Luke Daniels saved easily.

The sizable travelling support had something to cheer soon after that though, as news went round that Wigan had taken the lead against the Iron's fellow challengers for a play-off place, Barnsley.

However Scunthorpe had yet to get going in their own game and with Sheffield United on top there was a danger for the visitors that no matter what was happening elsewhere, they could still end up outside of the top six.

Sheffield United's Martyn Woolford tussles with Scunthorpe's Stephen Dawson

On 27 minutes the Blades could and probably should have gone in front after a high-tempo build-up on the edge of the box, saw Paul Coutts play a neat ball in to Billy Sharp who pulled his shot just slightly wide.

However, just as the home side looked in control, Scunthorpe stormed into the lead on 39 minutes as George Long saved an effort but despite having opportunities to clear, the Blades defence offered Hopper the chance to fire home from 10 yards.

The half time whistle sounded to jeers from the home supporters. Those jeers turned to cheers as the players returned for the second half with the announcement that Dean Hammond had been replaced by Ben Whiteman.

Sheffield United again started the half a little brighter than their opponents but they created nothing to trouble Daniels in the Scunthorpe goal.

That was until the 58th minute when a shot from Billy Sharp from distance, which Daniels easily stopped, brought about ironic cheers from the Kop.

Again, like in the first half, with United seeing more of the ball, they succumbed to another goal, with Madden firing past Long in the 64th minute after being teed up by Hopper.

Some Blades fans got up and left after that. For those who stayed, some sang 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' and aimed at Adkins 'You're getting sacked in the morning'.

After that the game petered out completely, with supporters slowly filing out and others staying behind to voice their disapproval.

See The Star on Monday for an in-depth analysis from James Shield

Sheffield United: Long, Edgar, Baptiste, McEveley, Basham, Woolford, Done, Coutts, Hammond, Adams, Sharp. Subs: Sammon, Reed, Cuvelier, Whiteman, Kelly, Ramsdale.

Scunthorpe United: Daniels, Mirfin, Williams, Madden, Dawson, Adelakun, Townsend, Hopper, Wallace, Ness, Clarke. Subs: Laird, Vose, Anyon, King, Goode, Burdett, Wooton.