Peterborough 1 Sheffield United 0: Blades left with plenty to do after Posh chalk up rare win

Mackail-Smith nodded home from close range shortly before the break to settle a game that was low on quality throughout.

The Blades were second best and rarely looked like scoring, while the home side were good value for the win, but they remain 11 points from safety.

Kevin Blackwell's men continued their abysmal away form with a woeful display and will have to show considerable improvement if they are to make the play-offs. It was evident from the off that both were struggling for form.

It was Peterborough who fashioned the only real chances of the opening exchanges. Dominic Green had a fierce drive well saved by Mark Bunn and Lee Frecklington volleyed wide when he had time and space shortly after.

However, five minutes before the break Jim Gannon's men were able to produce a rare moment of quality which saw them take the lead.

From a corner, Charlie Lee's thumping header was superbly turned onto the bar by Bunn, but the home side were not to be denied and Mackail-Smith was on hand to nod in the rebound, in off the bar.

It completed a miserable first half for the Blades, who lost both Ched Evans and Jamie Ward to injury.

The Blades started the second period brightly and unlocked the Peterborough defence for the first time with a neat interchange between Henri Camara and Stephen Quinn, and as the diminutive midfielder's left-foot shot looked to be heading into the bottom corner, Lee produced a fine block to deny a goal.

But Peterborough should have doubled their lead with 15 minutes remaining when Bunn palmed a dangerous Mark Little effort into the path of Tommy Rowe, but he blazed over from eight yards.

Nick Montgomery's hooked shot was Blades' only meaningful effort on goal in the final 30 minutes, summing up another woeful performance.

Peterborough: Lewis, Little, Morgan, Zakuani, Rowe, Dickinson, Frecklington (Torres 46), Green, Mclean (Geohaghon 68), Mackail-Smith, Lee. Unused substitutes: McKeown, Day, Crook, Griffiths, Koranteng.

Sheffield United: Bunn, Nosworthy, Morgan, Bartley, Stewart, Williamson (Yeates 46), Montgomery, Harper, Ward (Quinn 41), Cresswell, Evans (Camara 8). Unused substitutes: Bennett, Taylor, Seip, Lowton.

Referee: J Singh (Middlesex).