Killer instinct: Sheffield United stretch lead with Billy Sharp's strike

The game looked destined for a stalemate until James Hanson headed down for his fellow striker to pounce in the 87th minute.

The win helped the Blades stretch their lead to five points over Scunthorpe, who lost at home to Shrewsbury.

“It was a really good game between two teams having a right good go, playing the game the right way,” said Wilder.

“We pushed on in the second half and it’s a big performance and a big result against a side just outside the play-offs.

“Peterborough have given us as much trouble in the two games this season as anyone else.

“You have to defend well against Peterborough. The midfield diamond can be hard to play against and Peterborough play that system better than most, and we did defend really well. We were bold and brave in our approach on the pitch and got our rewards.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to bristol Rovers, he added: “We can’t under-estimate the challenges ahead of us and we are attacking them. We have to re-set ourselves and go again but this is an outstanding result. Players rose to the occasion.”

The Blades chief, who gave a full debut to Samir Carruthers, expects, missing duo Ethan Ebanks-Landell (hip) and Paul Coutts (ankle) to be in contention for the trip, though it will be difficult for the former to dislodge central defender Chris Basham.

Peterborough United: McGee, Smith, Tafazolli, Ball, Binnom-Williams, Maddison, Inman (Samuelsen 89), Grant, Edwards (Forrester 61), Mackail-Smith, Nichols (Morias 62). Unused substitutes: Hughes, Baldwin, Angol, Tyler.

Sheffield United: Moore, Freeman, O’Connell, Basham, Lafferty (Lavery 79), Duffy (O’Shea 61), Fleck, Carruthers (Riley 89), Wright, Sharp, Hanson. Unused substitutes: Long, McNulty, Done, Wilson.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne & Wear).