Sheffield United’s late charge to the play-offs came to an end on the south coast with a 3-2 defeat to Southampton.

The Blades took the lead through a Stephen Quinn header midway through the first half putting themselves temporality into a play-off position but Southampton, fighting to avoid relegation, hit back through Saganowski just before the break and Stern John put The Saints ahead on 53 minutes.

Jon Stead, a 63^rd minute substitute, took only two minutes to equalise for United but John struck his second of the afternoon twenty minutes from time to secure the win and to ensure that both clubs remain in The Championship.

Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace gained a fifth place finish thanks to a 5-0 victory over Burnley while Watford clinched the last play-off place with a 1-1 draw at Blackpool.

Hull (3^rd) and Bristol City (4^th) made up the other play-off positions as United finished in 9^th place behind Wolves (7^th) who just missed out on a play-off spot by one goal and Ipswich (8^th).

Southampton: Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Powell, Perry, Surman, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez (Licka 79), Euell, Saganowski (Lallana 73), John.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Wright-Phillips, Pericard.

Sent Off: John (80).

Booked: John.

Goals: Saganowski 42, John 53, 69.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halls, Cotterill (Gillespie 38), Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Hulse (Stead 63), Sharp (Shelton 56).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Armstrong.

Booked: Speed, Shelton.

Goals: Quinn 23, Stead 65.

Att: 31,957

Ref: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).