Chris Hughton's side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bramall Lane thanks to a Ryan Taylor shot which was deflected past former Newcastle goalkeeper Ian Bennett by Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan.

And they had Steve Harper to thank for two stunning late saves, the goalkeeper – given a standing ovation at the final whistle by the 2,850-strong away following – denying Darius Henderson and Keith Treacy.

The result took Newcastle two points clear at the top of the table going into Saturday's home game against Peterborough United.

With Steven Taylor having failed a late fitness test, Tamas Kadar was handed another start in the centre of Hughton's defence.

Fabricio Coloccini and Danny Simpson returned from injury, while Alan Smith was back in the team after serving a one-match suspension, and Marlon Harewood and Nile Ranger had to be content with places on the bench.

There was a short period of applause before the game in remembrance of former Newcastle and Sheffield United forward Keith Kettleborough, who sadly passed on the morning of the game.

Henderson had the first chance of the match after a quick interchange of passes on the edge of the box, but he drilled his shot narrowly wide of Harper's goal, and Hughton was soon off his feet barking instructions to his players.

Treacy had another chance for Kevin Blackwell's side after Coloccini misdirected a clearance, but his effort flew over Harper's crossbar.

Sheffield United kept the pressure up on their visitors, and Newcastle didn't have a chance until the 23rd minute, but Bennett – who had a spell at St James's Park early in his career – easily gathered Taylor's weak effort.

Carroll headed a Taylor free kick over the bar a couple of minutes later, and Newcastle, having spent the early part of the game on the back foot, were starting to show signs of life.

Referee Kevin Friend booked Carroll late in the half after the striker tangled with central defender Matthew Kilgallon, and the 20-year-old is now just one yellow card away from an automatic one-game suspension.

Taylor followed Carroll into the book for a foul on Kyle Walker, and Henderson drilled another shot wide of Harper's goal before the break.

Early in the second half Bennett tipped over flighted effort from Kevin Nolan after surge forward from Jose Enrique, and Carroll struck the post with a header, but Newcastle's breakthrough wasn't long in coming.

Nolan made a crunching tackle on Walker and the ball rolled to the advancing TAYLOR, whose shot cannoned off Morgan and into the home net, with Bennett helpless.

Blackwell's side, having started the game so well, looked shellshocked after going behind, and when they did break forward, they found Newcastle stubborn and organised at the back. Hughton, however, was concerned at the number of free kicks his team were conceding.

Harper had to be at his best to deny Henderson with 15 minutes left on the clock, and Hughton then made his first change, replacing Simpson with Ranger.

Harewood came on for Jonas Gutierrez with five minutes left, and Hughton's side survived a few late scares – with Harper again superbly denying Treacy and Henderson in injury time – to claim their fourth away win of the season.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Bennett; Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Evans (Camara, 76), Harper, Stewart (Cotterill, 70), Davies, Treacy, Quinn, Walker (France, 61). Subs not used: Reid, Williamson, Bunn, Little.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harper; Simpson (Ranger, 76), Coloccini, Kadar, Enrique; R Taylor, Nolan, Butt, Smith, Gutierrez (Harewood, 85); Carroll. Subs: Krul Guthrie, Geremi, Tozer, Donaldson.
Goals: R Taylor 53
Bookings: Morgan 30, Carroll 38, R Taylor 42
Sent off: None
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 26,536

For reaction to tonight's game, see tomorrow's Gazette.