Sheffield United cemented their fourth position with a battling 4-2 home victory over Derby.
Henderson, Naughton and Beattie on target against Rams
Sheffield United cemented their position in the Championship play-off zone with a battling 4-2 victory over Derby at Bramall Lane.
The Blades - who are now six games unbeaten in the league - raced into a two-goal lead as the industrious David Cotterill laid on goals for Kyle Naughton and Darius Henderson.
But former Blade Rob Hulse then pulled one back in the second period before Henderson restored the two-goal advantage.
On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan again reduced the deficit before Craig Beattie sealed the win with an injury time fourth.
With a resolution in the Carlos Tevez saga apparently close - United are reportedly near to agreeing a compensation payout with West Ham - the Blades consolidated their fourth-placed position with this win.
The defeat saw Nigel Clough suffer a third loss in 11 league games since he emulated his father Brian by taking the up the Rams' reins on 8th January.
Mazy run
United went in front after seven minutes when Cotterill exploited Paul Connolly's error on a foray forward with a mazy run down the left channel.
The Blades midfielder played a cross ball for right-winger Naughton, who had time and space to pick his spot with a curling left-foot effort from the edge of the area for his first league goal of the season.
United then added a second after 21 minutes, with Cotterill again the provider.
He raced down the left to the byline and delivered a pinpoint cross for Henderson who headed between Stephen Bywater's legs for his first goal in seven games.
Derby's defence was less than convincing but United could not add to their tally before the interval with Henderson and Jamie Ward both flagged offside and Cotterill off target with a free-kick.
Hulse flicked a Robbie Savage free-kick straight at Paddy Kenny in first-half stoppage time before smashing in Derby's opener seven minutes into the second period.
Havoc
His goal came after Gary Teale caused havoc down the United right and his tame shot hit Matthew Kilgallon on the line.
Hulse was first to react, smashing into the roof of the net from six yards for his sixth goal in nine games.
The striker blasted off target before the Blades exposed Derby's defensive frailties once again.
Cotterill found Stephen Quinn down the left and he crossed for Henderson, who, with his back to goal, muscled his way round Martin Albrechtsen and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
Derby immediately responded, Steve Davies beating Leigh Bromby on the left of the area and crossing for substitute Bannan - yet to train with County after signing on Friday - to power a left-foot shot in from eight yards.
Halford rampaged down the right and shot wide across goal after coming on and Hulse headed Barazite's cross at Kenny at the other end.
Davies headed wide late on and Hulse hit over in stoppage time before substitute Beattie, on loan from West Brom, tucked in his first Blades goal with the last kick of the game.
