Town are still waiting for their first away win of the season after losing 3-1 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Blades were ahead in the first half via James Beattie, but Jon Walters put the Blues on terms prior to a controversial penalty netted by Beattie and Keith Gillespie's late third.

As predicted by TWTD, Liam Trotter was handed his first Town start in the centre of a five-man midfield. Jim Magilton rang than changes with Owen Garvan, Billy Clarke, Pablo Couñago and Fabian Wilnis all dropping out. Trotter, Tommy Miller, Alex Bruce and Gary Roberts came in from the start.

Town started the stronger side and in the ninth minute Alan Lee forced Blades keeper Ian Bennett, a target of Joe Royle during his time at Portman Road, into an early save. Soon after, Town's top scorer was only narrowly short of getting a touch on a Jon Walters ball across the box.

Alex Bruce made an important interception in front of James Beattie on 19 as the home side made their first foray into the Town area, the Blues having dominated the opening exchanges.

Lee again went close a minute later, his shot beating Bennett but scraping just wide of the post.

On 24 Nick Montgomery headed a good opportunity straight at Neil Alexander, then Philip Bardsley's freekick flew wide after David Wright was harshly penalised for a clash of heads with James Beattie, the Town full-back requiring treatment and a headband.

Jason De Vos made a superb saving challenge on Beattie in the 29th minute, but a minute later the Blades were in front. Beattie headed down a cross from the right to Chris Armstrong, who returned the ball to the former England striker. Beattie had by now lost marker Alex Bruce and the ex-Everton man had little trouble in beating Alexander from eight yards.

The goal was hard on Town, who had been the only side in the game in the opening half an hour. After a freekick on the Blues left, Jason De Vos's shot was blocked, then Alan Lee was flagged offside, but in any case couldn't get the ball into a position from which he could shoot.

With four minutes of the first half remaining, Danny Webber blocked a David Wright clearance on the Town right. The former Watford man eventually sent in a deep cross to the far post which Beattie headed just over. Wright was quickly involved at the other end, whipping in a cross which Alan Lee headed and Bennett saved to his left.

On 44 Webber curled a shot off Alexander's left post with the Town keeper well beaten, the Blues defence having failed to clear their lines on the right of the area.

Town didn't really deserve to be a goal down at the break, although they had lost their way a touch in the latter stages of the half after the home side's goal. The back four again had their questionable moments and the goal might well have been prevented.

The Blues started the second period brightly, but failed to create much despite their possession.

Gary Cahill headed the half's first chance wide, moments before the Blues got back on terms. Neil Alexander's long kick somehow found Jon Walters on the edge of the Blades box. The former Chester player held off a defender before deftly lobbing the ball over Bennett and into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

There looked like there was going to be only one winner from this point with Town well on top, but the Blades started to get themselves back into the game. A cross form the right hit Webber and flew straight to Alexander, then David Carney shot wide.

Jon Walters came close to scoring his second of the game in the 58th minute from Alan Lee's cross from the left, but the former Irish U21 international's header struck the top of the bar, a defender turning the ball out for a corner.

There was controversy in the 61st minute when Dan Harding and Keith Gillespie clashed as the Town man chased the ex-Manchester United player into the Blues box. The linesman flagged for a foul that referee Graham Laws wasn't going to give and after lengthy consultation, and with the home fans calling for a penalty, he awarded a somewhat diplomatic freekick a yard to the right of the penalty box. The kick was wasted.

Liam Trotter picked up his first senior yellow card for a clumsy foul in the 68th minute before the youngster was involved in another moment of penalty area controversy.

The FA Youth Cup winner tried to clear a bouncing ball inside the area in front of Montgomery. Trotter appeared to miss the ball and any contact with the player was minimal, but nevertheless the same linesman involved in the previous incident indicated a penalty kick.

It was a perplexing decision for the Town support at the other end of the ground and the Blues subs argued with the linesman along with David Wright, who was shown a yellow card for his trouble. After a lengthy delay Beattie sent Alexander the wrong way from the spot.

Owen Garvan replaced Sylvain Legwinski, prior to Jon Walters receiving a yellow card for bouncing the ball into the ground after a very clearly wrong throw-in decision by the other linesman.

Cahill had the ball in the Town net again in the 79th minute but the referee had already whistled for a foul. Pablo Couñago joined Alan Lee up front as the Blues moved to 4-4-2 for the final 11 minutes.

Town were having most of the ball and passing it around at will but weren't creating any serious opportunities. On 85 Jaime Peters replaced Gary Roberts.

Any hopes of the Blues getting back into the game were dashed within seconds of the Canadian taking to the field. A corner was half-cleared to the edge of the area, from where Keith Gillespie lashed a shot home.

Another away defeat which was perhaps harsh on the Blues, as at Burnley and QPR. Another questionable penalty away from home — as at Plymouth and the MK Dons earlier in the season — at a time when Town were very much the stronger side.

Sheffield United appeared a side the Blues were well capable of beating, although Danny Webber and James Beattie caused the Town defence problems throughout with the first goal appearing a poor one to concede on first viewing. Unlike at QPR and in the first half at Norwich, the Blues failed to create too many chances despite long spells when they were on top.

The away run now stretches to 11 games with the trip to Cardiff on November 24th the next opportunity for it to be brought to an end.

Town: Alexander, Wright, Harding, De Vos, Bruce, Legwinski (Garvan 75), Trotter (Couñago 79), Miller, Walters, Roberts (Peters 85), Lee. Unused: Supple, Casement. Att: 25,033.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls