A controversial penalty decision from referee Jeff Winter sent Preston on their way to a 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.

He awarded United a 30th minute penalty after Jack Lester fell over Preston keeper Jonathan Gould as the Scottish international attempt to save the ball as it came charging into his area.

Michael Brown converted the penalty and Stuart McCall doubled the lead 11 minutes from time when he linked up with Brown before blasting the ball towards the near-post from close range - the ball going through Gould's legs in the process.

Both goals came against the run of play, with Richard Cresswell's goal drought continuing and Ricardo Fuller looking out-of-sorts on his return to the side from a three-game ban.

Wasteful finishing ultimately cost Preston the game, with Fuller, Cresswell and American international Eddie Lewis all guilty of that charge before United were gifted the lead.

Preston piled on the pressure in the second half, with Paul Gerrard denying Graham Alexander and Fuller - the second save being little short of brilliant.

But David Healy, on as a second half sub despite scoring in four of the five previous games, headed wide, while Fuller's drive hit Phil Jagielka and Brian O'Neil misdirected his sure-fire header.

Preston boss Craig Brown said: "I think 2-0 is an unfair result and doesn't reflect the game, particularly if you look at the way we played in the second half."

Sheffield United 2

Preston North End 0