Town's away day blues continued with Jon Walters on target in the defeat at Bramall Lane.

James Beattie gave the home side the lead just past the half hour mark when he fired past Neil Alexander from inside the box.

Walters pulled Town level early in the second-half with his first away goal following a long clearance by Alexander but Sheffield regained the lead 20 minutes from time, Liam Trotter judged to have brought down Montgomery and Alexander couldn't repeat his penalty saving heroics for a third time, Beattie scoring from the spot.

Keith Gillespie made it three with a thunderbolt a few minutes from time to leave Town now 12 games on the road without a win.

Jim Magilton kept up his pre-match promise to make changes to his side as Blues faced a second testing game in three days following the draw at Norwich on Sunday.

Trotter came in for his first start for Blues, with Tommy Miller back from an ankle injury, Alex Bruce returning to action with Gary Roberts also named in the starting line-up. Pablo Counago and Owen Garvan dropped to the bench with Fabian Wilnis and Billy Clarke rested from the side that drew at Carrow Road.

Roberts was involved in the early exchanges, creating an opening with a weaving run, then making a timely clearance as Sheffield looked for an opening but it was Blues that carried the greater threat with Alan Lee testing Ian Bennett from the angle, the striker then inches away from getting on the end of a cross after great work by Walters.

Bruce had to be alert to clear from Beattie as the England international threatened down the middle, then at the other end Bennett had an anxious look at Lee's scuffed shot that went just wide.

Montgomery had a header straight at Alexander before both physios were needed after a clash of heads between Trotter and Gillespie, the Blade receiving lengthy treatment. David Wright and Beattie then involved in a similar incident with the Town defender returing to the action with a bandage protecting a cut head.

Beattie was stopped in his tracks by an excellent tackle from Jason De Vos as the former Everton man burst into the Town box on the half hour mark.

Beattie wouldn't be denied though and made the breakthrough on 33 minutes, finishing well with a low shot after Chris Armstrong's pass.

Beattie headed over the bar, Lee forced Bennett into a save for Town with Danny Webber hitting the post just before the half-time whistle as chances continued to be created at both ends.

Gary Cahill had a good chance to extend the home side's lead just after the break, heading wide from Gary Naysmith's cross before Town levelled on 54 minutes, Walters lifting the ball into the net after Alexander's long clearance. The former Chester player then heading aginst the bar.

Referee Graham Laws had the Blades fans on their feet on 65 minutes when he gave a free-kick outside the box when Dan Harding caught Gillespie, the Sheffield players and fans claiming the incident was well inside the box.

Trotter picked up the first yellow card of the night for a foul on Montgomery and seconds later the midfielder caught the Blade again inside the box with referee Laws pointing straight to the penalty spot. Beattie sending Alexander the wrong way.

Garvan replaced Sylvain Legwinski with 18 minutes left on the clock, Walters then picking up a booking for dissent as the wide midfielder showed his frustration.

Counago came on for Trotter on 75 minutes as Town changed to a twin attack, the Spaniard showing a great first touch to set up Wright but his cross was wasted.

Garvan was denied on the edge of the box as Blues penned the home side back, Counago crowded out inside the box by Matthew Kilgallon.

Miller sent a free-kick into the area after Walters had been fouled as Blues enjoyed plenty of possession around the Blades' box, Cahill clearing his lines as Lee challenged.

Jaime Peters was handed the last five minutes, Roberts making way but Gillespie wrapped up the points for Robson's side with a thundering strike after a corner to leave Town finishing the night ninth in the Championship table.

Sheffield United: Bennett, Bardsley, Cahill, Naysmith, Kilgallon, Gillespie, Montgomery, Carney (Tonge 88), Armstrong, Beattie, Webber. Subs not used: Sharp, Stead, Quinn, Morgan, Tonge. Booked: Webber.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Walters, T.Miller, Trotter (Counago 75), Legwinski (Garvan 72), Roberts (Peters 85), Lee. Subs not used: Supple, Casement, Peters. Booked: Trotter, Roberts, Walters.