Preston North End 2 Sheffield United 1: Blades struggle to produce as play-off hopes are hit again

The England Under-20 midfielder, 18, claimed the credit in the 10th minute when his low 20-yard shot deflected off Blades defender Nyron Nosworthy and wrong-footed goalkeeper Ian Bennett.

Jon Parkin added a killer second for Darren Ferguson's men in the 71st minute, tucking away the rebound after his penalty was saved by Bennett before United winger Mark Yeates grabbed a late consolation.

For the opener, Parkin did well to engineer the space down the left flank to find on-loan Danny Welbeck and he showed intelligence to find James 20 yards from goal. The teenager struck a hopeful low right-foot shot which deflected past the stranded Bennett.

United's 18-year-old debutant Kyle Bartley, signed on a three-month loan from Arsenal, cut an assured figure at the heart of the visitors' defence.

However, the Blades were lucky to survive in the 28th minute when Parkin unleashed a right-foot shot which rebounded off the crossbar.

Blackwell's men almost caught Preston cold within 12 seconds of the restart.

Yeates broke the offside trap and found himself with only Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan to beat.

Yeates hit a low right-foot shot which Lonergan did well to deflect on to a post.

Four minutes later, Ched Evans drove a low ball across the face of goal but Richard Cresswell could not divert the ball in.

Parkin then warmed Bennett's hands from distance before Preston wrapped up the points. Ross Wallace's cross was chested down by the lively Welbeck and Nosworthy clumsily shoved him in the back to prevent him taking a strike at goal.

The referee pointed straight to the spot and, though Parkin's first effort was well-saved by Bennett, the big striker comfortably swept home the rebound.

Yeates volleyed home from 10 yards with nine minutes remaining but, despite a late rally, no equaliser came.

Preston: Lonergan, Hart, Mawene, St. Ledger, Jones, Sedgwick (Treacy 78), James (Carter 90), Coutts, Wallace (Brown 90), Parkin, Welbeck. Unused substitutes: Henderson, Neill Collins, Chilvers, Mellor.

Sheffield United: Bennett, Geary, Nosworthy, Bartley, Kallio, Yeates, Montgomery, Williamson, Quinn (Ward 58), Evans (Camara 64), Cresswell (Henderson 72). Unused substitutes: Aksalu, France, Stewart, Fortune.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).