The Clarets slim play-off hopes all but came to an end, whilst Sheffield United re-ignited theirs on a frustrating afternoon at Turf Moor.

Goals in either half - the first a superb long-range free kick from James Beattie, the second a header from strike partner Billy Sharp - were enough to give the Blades all three points.

An Andrew Cole strike on 81 minutes sparked a spirited late fightback, but despite a flurry the Clarets could not find the all-important equaliser.

It was a scrappy start to the game but it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the early possession.

Brian Jensen had to be alert to tip over a Beattie header on nine minutes as the Blades looked to turn that possession into a breakthrough goal.

The Clarets responded well and a cross from Chris McCann just evaded Cole in the box.

McCann then had a strike from 25 yards comfortably saved by Paddy Kenny on 16 minutes as the Clarets found their feet.

Stephen Quinn went close for the visitors on the half hour mark when he curled a shot just wide of Jensen's far post after a good Blades move.

United did take the lead just two minutes later when Beattie smashed home a superb free kick from 35 yards after Unsworth had fouled Quinn as he broke.

Lafferty then thought he had equalised within seconds, but Kenny somehow managed to stick a boot out and clear off the line after a great cross from Cole.

James O'Connor had a shot just over the bar on 38 minutes as Burnley kept on creating openings, but the Clarets still couldn't find the breakthrough and Unsworth went close with a header from a corner as the half time break approached.

The Clarets survived a couple of early half chances at the start of the second half before Blake had a good chance to pull Burnley level on 50 minutes.

But despite a good shot from just inside the box, his effort was well saved by Kenny.

Lafferty's left foot effort just a minute later was well blocked after a great cross from Stephen Jordan, in for the injured Jon Harley, caused the visitors defence all manner of problems.

However, it was 2-0 just seconds later when Sharp planted a firm downward header passed Jensen after Cotterill had got the better of Jordan on the right.

Chances for either side became few and far between, with both midfields seeing the majority of the action either side of the hour mark.

Only a left-footed shot from distance from Lafferty on 75 minutes tested keeper Kenny as the Clarets enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to create any chances of note.

Cole did give Burnley hope on 81 minutes, latching onto a Joey Gudjonsson ball before slotting the ball past Kenny as the angle narrowed.

The former Manchester United and England striker then almost salvaged somethgin for the Clarets level two minutes later but Kenny - a rock for the visitors all afternoon - again kept the striker at bay with a fine reflex save.

It was a stirring fight back, but despite plenty of pressure, the United defence held firm and take all three points back over the Pennines.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Unsworth, Caldwell, Jordan, Elliott, O'Connor (Gudjonsson 61) , McCann, Lafferty, Cole, Blake (Akinbiyi 61).
Subs: Kiraly, Duff, Randall.
Booked: Unsworth (31, foul)

Sheffield United: Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naysmith, Speed, Cotterill (Ehiogu 89), Tonge, Quinn, Beattie(Gillespie 77), Sharp (Hulse 66).
Subs: Halls, Stead.
Booked: Hulse (78, dissent)

Attendance: 11,693.