Heckinbottom praises Blades after win

Championship outfit Sheffield United have boosted their play-off hopes by coming from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1 at St Andrew's.

Despite falling behind through Lyle Taylor, the Blades did enough to win the game courtesy of goals from Billy Sharp and Jayden Bogle, with the winner coming in controversial circumstances.

The victory means United are only three points behind the play-offs with two games in hand over sixth-placed West Brom ahead of Wednesday's mouth-watering clash with the Baggies.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom applauded his team for dealing with Birmingham's threat and coming from behind to earn their third consecutive victory.

"I'm happy with the three points, the nature of the victory and the fact that we fell behind and how we responded," he said. "It's a real good win all around.

"We fell behind due to a good break from Birmingham, but the way we responded is the real pleasing thing. We deserved it.

"We showed great mentality to come back into the game and the goals were fantastic. There's no easy game in this league. To restrict Birmingham to the chances they had, we did really well."

Blues head coach Lee Bowyer explained his frustration at Bogle's winner but insisted his players deserved more from the game after putting in another improved performance.

"Billy Sharp was offside (in the build-up to the winner) and then he's trying to get onto the ball," Bowyer said. "By him chasing the ball and closing the goalkeeper down, he's interfering.

"The rules change every game. That's why I'm upset and disappointed because my players deserved more. We pushed a very good Sheffield United team and there wasn't much in the game."

It is the second straight game that Bowyer has witnessed his team let go of a lead