James Scowcroft's first-half strike ensured a triumphant return to Bramall Lane for former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock as Crystal Palace beat the Blades 1-0.

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Palace striker Scowcroft pounced to hook home Ben Watson's deflected free-kick in the 38th minute to heap more misery on Blades boss Bryan Robson and extend the Londoners' unbeaten run to 12 matches.

Warnock, making his first trip to Bramall Lane since walking out on his hometown club following relegation from the Premier League in May, allowed himself muted celebrations as the Blades crashed to a fourth defeat in their last six Championship matches.

Robson has endured a miserable start to the season since replacing Warnock and has come under increasing pressure from Blades fans in recent weeks as their promotion challenge falters.

But in the second half against Palace, Robson's side were the dominant force and could have taken at least a point if they had converted just one of several clear-cut chances.