A spectacular own goal by Graham Alexander gave Sheffield United victory against Preston at Bramall Lane.

Alexander put a flying header into his own net after Carl Asaba had missed Michael Tonge's cross.

Referee Fraser Stretton denied Preston a penalty when Richard Cresswell went down and Mark Rankine was red-carded for his protests.

The visitors had been keeping in-form United at bay, with keeper David Lucas looking unbeatable between the posts.

He first showed his mettle when saving a well-struck Tonge free-kick.

Lucas then did superbly well to save a long-range effort from Peter Ndlovu as United went in search of a breakthrough.

Drama

The overworked keeper also had to be at his best to tip a header from Steve Kabba round the post after the striker got on the end of Jon Harley's cross from the left.

As the first half drew to a close Cresswell struck a shot wide of Paddy Kenny's post in a rare Preston attack.

Blades boss Neil Warnock sent on leading scorer Asaba as a third striker in place of midfielder Nick Montgomery in the second half.

His side were soon on top again and Lucas was called into action to save a shot from Kabba before the drama of Alexander's own goal and Rankine's sending-off.

Cresswell was denied a goal when keeper Paddy Kenny tipped his late header around the post.

Sheffield United: Kenny, Jagielka, Murphy, Page, Harley, Brown, Montgomery, Ndlovu, Tonge, Allison, Kabba. Subs: Kozluk, Asaba, Peschisolido, Javary, McGovern.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Broomes, Lucketti, Murdock, Etuhu, Rankine, Mears, Lewis, Healy, Cresswell. Subs: McCormack, O'Neill, Anderson, Bailey, Moilanen.

Referee: F Stretton (Nottinghamshire)