Division One: Sheffield United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1 - Andy Neild's match verdict

IT'S been all laughs and smiles since Tony Parkes donned his caretaker's coat at the beginning of November.

But the Ewood stalwart wore a more sombre look at Bramall Lane yesterday after things suddenly went pear-shaped in his first game as a full-time boss.

Parkes's hangdog expression in the post match press conference said far more about his thoughts on Jason McAteer's moment of lunacy than words alone.

Rovers new boss was quietly seething after the Republic of Ireland international got himself sent off midway through the first half following an altercation with a linesman.

That incident turned this game completely on its head and United cashed in to take maximum advantage, shattering Rovers magnificent unbeaten run in the process.

Parkes's first lesson in the world of full-time management turned out to be a painful one.

And the fact he supported United as a boy didn't seem to soften the blow.

But then history should have prepared him for what was to come because the Blades are always at their sharpest whenever they play Rovers - it's a fact!

Over the years, United have scored more goals and won more games against Rovers than they have against any other club.

And they managed to extend that record thanks to a Marcus Bent brace.

Yet, at times in the opening 30 minutes, Rovers were on a different planet. Spurred on by the promptings of Damien Duff, they were enterprising and inventive going forward.

And Ashley Ward's ninth minute strike should have provided the ideal platform for another giant step towards the play offs.

But McAteer's verbal volley quickly put paid to that and only a string of stunning saves from Alan Kelly kept Rovers interests alive in the second half.

The departure of McAteer meant Lee Carsley and Per Frandsen were suddenly out-numbered and over-run in the centre of midfield.

And with Duff asked to tuck inside to help stem the United fightback, Rovers lost much of their threat going forward.

But, in fairness to United, they made the most of their numerical advantage and thanks to a new work ethic instilled by Neil Warnock, they won their personal battles.

Bent and his strike partner Martin Smith gave Rovers defenders Martin Taylor and Christian Dailly a torrid time at the back. And midfield trio Michael Brown, Curtis Woodhouse and Shaun Derry charged around like a pack of thirsty bloodhounds in the centre.

It may not have been pretty but it was certainly effective and Rovers were practically snuffed out as an attacking force after the break.

Yet it had all started so brightly for the visitors.

Duff could have fired his team ahead in the opening 30 seconds after a slick raid but he delayed his shot, allowing the United defence to scramble the ball to safety.

Their reprieve only lasted eight minutes, however, before Ward silenced the home fans.

McAteer swung over a free kick from the right, the former Barnsley man pulled it down, and lashed a shot past Simon Tracey, despite strong claims he had handled it.

That stung United into action as Brown's shot was blocked by Taylor and Woodhouse fired wide from the rebound.

However, Nathan Blake should have doubled Rovers advantage on 19 minutes when Duff's cross was nodded down by McAteer at the back post but the United old-boy lifted his effort over the top from five yards.

Rovers survived a scare at the other end, though, as Smith fired straight at Kelly after good work from Bent.

But their pressure did pay off on 29 minutes when Smith's flick released Bent on the right and he burst into the box before belting a rasping drive past Kelly. Worse was to follow barely sixty seconds later as McAteer saw red for abusing a linesman - just a couple of minutes after being booked for a skirmish with Brown.

And as Rovers reshuffled they were nearly punished again but a Smith effort was ruled out by an offside flag.

Bent, Quinn, Derry and Smith all had chances after the break before Kelly pulled off a brilliant save to palm away a Brown piledriver.

But the Republic of Ireland international was left cruelly exposed with 15 minutes left when Paul Devlin crossed from the right and Bent rose to crash home a header.

With Rovers still reeling, Derry nearly added a third a minute later only to be denied by another astonishing save from Kelly.

And the former United man then palmed away a vicious drive from Woodhouse.

In the dying seconds, Ward and Duff both missed chances to pull a point out of the fire.

It wasn't to be, though, and this time the smiles belonged to Warnock and his terriers.

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