Preston North End were denied a first away win of the season in controversial circumstances at Bramall Lane.

Paul Simpson's side looked to have done enough to take all three points after Darren Carter had perhaps fortuitously put the PNE yellows ahead on 35 minutes. Carter's free-kick evaded both defenders and attackers to bounce unchallenged into the back of the Sheffield United net.

And with the frustrated Sheffield United crowd berating their team late into the game it looked as if Simpson's men had snuffed out the Blades threat, but a speculative ball in behind the defence was chased down by both North End's Sean St. Ledger and Sheffield United's Luton Shelton, the ball bobbled away as both men challenged and after cries from the crowd for handball, the referee seemed to take an eternity to make a decision before finally pointing to the spot. A decision which infuriated PNE boss Paul Simpson who was eventually sent to the stands after James Beattie had slotted gome from the spot.

North End started the game well and had a flurry of corners but it was the Blades who had the first real opportunity on 10 minutes. Keith Gillespie whipping in an in swinging corner from the right and James Beattie ghosted in at the near post to glance a header towards goal from only five yards out. It went only inches over the crossbar.

Preston North End had to make an early change in the 19th minute when Liam Chilvers appeared to have strained a muscle of some sort and had to be replaced by Sean St. Ledger in the heart of defence.

North End's best move of the opening quarter came after a good passage of play on 25 minutes. Eventually Nicholls knocked the ball into feet of Hawley in the box and he laid it off to Darren Carter who was first to the ball and he hit a snap shot which was only a yard over Paddy Kenny's bar.

Youl Mawene was booked on 26 minutes after a late challenge brought one of the Quinn's down on the half-way line.

Kevin Nicholls' outstretched leg set up North End's next opportunity. He got his toe to the ball deep into Blades territory to divert the ball into the path of Chris Sedgwick. The Sheffield lad needed no further invitation to get forward and he took a bit of a shimmy before letting rip at goal, it was just over the bar.

North End took the lead ten minutes before the break. It came after Billy Jones had been sent tumbling down the right and a free-kick was awarded. Darren Carter ambled over from his left-midfield position to take it. He struck a ball into the box that was always in swinging its way towards goal, both Mawene and Hawley threatened to get a touch to the ball but neither did and somehow it was just allowed to bounce into the back of the net.

Preston gained confidence from the goal and could have had a second on 38 minutes when Callum Davidson went on a marauding run that took him into the Sheffield United box, Callum seemed to have lost control but the ball bounced off of Gallagher and Davidson stuck out a leg at the ball for an effort which ended up more like a back-pass and Kenny saved well.

Andy Lonergan pulled off a top drawer save in the 62nd minute of the game, North End had half cleared their lines and the ball fell to Chris Armstrong who hit a 25-yard thunderbolt that the keeper appeared to have seen late, he had to dive down late and somehow parried it over the bar.

PNE introduced the pace and power of Patrick Agyemang into the mix on 67 minutes, he came on for Paul Gallagher who had put in a hardworking shift

Callum Davidson picked up his fifth booking of the season on 68 minutes when he took out the pacey Shelton just as he was looking to outpace the North End defence.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson had last throw of the dice when he sent on Michael Tongue on for Alan Quinn.

On 79 minutes the moment of controversy arrived. Gary Naysmith hit a hopeful ball over the top of the defence for Luton Shelton, the defence seemed to have it covered with Sean St. Ledger sweeping up around the back and there were cries of handball from a small element of the crowd. The referee appeared to have allowed to let play go on and then seconds later appeared to change his mind and pointed at the spot. The Preston players and management were incensed but the furious shouts were falling on deaf ears with referee Jemail Singh.

James Beattie didn't seem too concerned either as he stepped up and slammed the ball home from the penalty spot.

The fourth official called the referee over before the restart and had a chat and that led to North End boss Paul Simpson being sent to the stands.

That goal raised the temperature on the pitch a few bars and for a few wild minutes the challenges were flying in. Chris Armstrong picked up a yellow for a late one on Davidson and then Nicholls went in the book for another mistimed effort.

The game seemed wide open as both sides went for the win

Attendance: 23,661