Kevin Blackwell joked he wished the game had ended after Stephen Quinn headed his side into the lead at Southampton.

The Blades were chasing a play-off place and could have sneaked in with a win if other results had gone their way, but Stern John's 69th-minute winner made all other results academic.

Blackwell said: "For a small period at 1-0 we were in the play-offs - and I wish the referee had blown up then.

"It was important that we gave it a go and we did.

"Over 46 games you merit where you should be, but credit to Southampton. It was an incredible atmosphere and pure theatre."