Sheffield United verdict: Play-off shots fired at Middlesbrough and Blackburn after fightback

Sheffield United took another huge step forward in the race for a play-off place with victory against QPR this evening. And, in doing so, fired a promotion shot in the direction of Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Millwall.

In sixth place ahead of kick-off, United arrived at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium looking to ensure play-off destiny remained in their own hands heading into the final round of fixtures next weekend. But more than that, this was a real opportunity to pile the pressure on the chasing pack ahead of their matches tomorrow.

Playing the day before everyone else in the Championship, the visitors knew victory would plunge those teams below them into must-win territory. Failure to pick up maximum points would hand them extra incentive when they take to the pitch on Saturday.

With so much riding on the outcome of this one, United's promotion credentials and nerve would be tested. We are at the stage of the season now where there is no room for error.

Their hopes were dealt a huge setback before kick-off with the news that Billy Sharp has suffered a calf injury in training and was ruled out. A further blow came just after the half hour mark when Charlie Austin headed home the opener following an Albert Adomah cross.

It was the home side's first attempt at goal and it came very much against the run of play. United were the side enjoying the possession and asking the most questions but despite getting into a number of threatening positions Rangers keeper Murphy Mahoney had only a Morgan Gibbs-White effort to deal with.

It left United with it all to do in the second half and with no strikers on the pitch you were left wondering where were the goals going to come from?

Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Robinson and Conor