SHEFFIELD United got their third straight victory against Watford this afternoon (Saturday), after doing the double over the Hornets last season.

England U21 goalkeeper Scott Loach pulled off some fantastic saves for the Hornets but it was in vain as the visitors just couldn't seem to quash Kevin Blackwell's razor-sharp Blades.

Despite a gallant and battling effort from the Golden boys, the pace and speed of United got the better of the Hornets as they had to return to Watford empty handed.

After their Carling Cup success mid-week at Barnet, Mackay made a few changes to his side, putting internationals Scott Loach, Jay DeMerit and Ross Jenkins back into the squad with Smith moving into midfield to replace the injured Don Cowie.

Nathan Ellington was handed a start by the manager, partnering Danny Graham up-front.

Within minutes, Ellington was pushing for goal, determined to prove his worth to the manager after he handed the striker his first start of the season.

Nathan Ellington on the ball

But it was Jamie Ward who had the first real chance for the home side as he blasted a shot towards Scott Loach's goal and the England U21 keeper had to pull off a fantastic save with his finger tips.

A deflected shot in the 7th minute saw United's first corner of the match but the Blades wasted their chance and the ball went out for a Loach goal-kick.

Seconds later a Doyley one on one with striker Ched Evans shook the Watford nerves a little but Loach successfully came out for the ball.

It was second time lucky for Jamie Ward on 10 minutes when he slotted home Keith Treacy's cross from the left following a freekick, putting the Blades into an early lead.

Watford had been caught a little cold by the home side's quickly taken set piece and their positive opening had come to nothing.  It was the second successive visit to Bramall Lane that saw Watford concede an early goal.

The Hornets came back with a sting however, and after an early attempt on goal for the England U20s in midweek, Ross Jenkins fired a shot at the keeper but it went high over the bar.

The midfielder seemed very comfortable in his new more attacking position as he repeatedly found himself in the box with the ball, but the youngster just couldn't quite finish the job.

Evans, on his return from international duty with Wales, was again threatening for the Blades when on 22 minutes his shot was only inches past Loach's post.

DeMerit and Evan battle for the ball in mid-air

Watford breath was held again in the 29th minute as Sheffield United continued to press for a second goal. Evans crossed to the waiting Henderson but the former Hornet's shot glanced past the post.

A Watford corner on 30th minute resulted in Tommy Smith getting a go at glory as Mark Bunn was caught out in his area, leaving the goal unmanned. But a plethora of Sheffield defenders were on hand to clear the ball away.

The play was end to end as the Hornets battled to keep Blackwell's determined Blades at bay.

During some great passing from the Watford midfield, Ross Jenkins was brought down yards outside the area to give the Hornets a perfect chance on goal. But Ellington's freekick bounced off the United wall.

Loach had his work cut out for him as the Blades looked sharp and dangerous on attack. In the 39th minute, Treacy had a go at goal but his blast was squeezed past the post.

In the 43rd minute, Watford hearts went into mouths as Kilgallon's header met with the ball and was merely centimetres away from making it 2-0 before the break.

The second half kicked off with Watford having the majority of the prossession but the Hornets were unable to capitalise on this and the action quickly skipped up to the other end of the pitch.

United were back on the gas as they continued their pressure from the first half in the penalty box.

Having scored at Barnet on Tuesday, Scott Severin tried his luck on target again in the 54th minute but his shot went over the woodwork.

Danny Graham picked up the ball minutes later but let it trickle out for a goal kick after pressure from his marker.

Two minutes later United were up in the area again, causing problems for the Watford defence but luckily they couldn't get on the end of the threatening balls.

The Blades' persistent pressure paid off as United striker and debutant Evans danced past the Watford defence in the 62nd minute and finished the job off by smashing a ball past Loach and into the back of the net.

Watford complained that former striker Henderson had fouled DeMerit in the build up but the referee was having none of it and let the goal stand.

The home side looked comfortable in their lead and continued to push for a third goal as the Hornets threw more men forward in an attempt to save the game.

The two Scotts of Watford: Scott Loach and Scott Severin

Loach made a fantastic and inspired save with his feet in the 66th minute as scorer of the first goal Jamie ward looked to have the third United goal in the bag, but Loach's confidence and quick thinking proved why he is number one.

The goalie had no time to rest however as the heat was turned up as he was caught out by the United strikers but managed after pulling off another save, and the ball fell to Henderson but the Blades' player hoofed the shot over the bar.

Sheffield were forcing the corners out of the Hornets as they stepped up the pressure once more. But this time the ball landed safely in Loach's grasp.

Youngsters Marvin Sordell and Michael Bryan

Youngster Marvin Sordell was called off the bench to make his Watford debut as Malky Mackay tried to maximise his attacking options.

Severin again tried his hand at goal on 72 minutes as he attempted to inject some positive feeling into the Watford camp. But his shot went wide and left the Hornets still searching for their first goal and Sheffield chasing for their third.

It was down to Lloyd Doyley to save the day for Watford as he made a diving headed clearance of a United ball from inside the penalty box to keep the score at 2-0.

Jenkins was kicked in the area in the 79th minute and after much deliberation by the referee, he gave a dropball on the edge of the box. The task was fruitless for the Hornets however and the home side regained control of the ball.

Substitute Dave Cotterill nearly made it three for United a few minutes later but his shot was deflected and Loach's post got in the way as the shot smashed against the woodwork.

Mike Williamson defends the Watford goal

The Hornets were getting increasingly frustrated as both Marvin Sordell and Adrian Mariappa were booked within six minutes of each other.

Killgallon was given too much space in the 85th minute as his cross found Karl Reid but his ball went wide of the post. The Blades seemed determined to get a third goal of the afternoon as Kilgallon, Montomery and Reid all tried their luck at the target, but Watford were now all too familiar with the Blades' tactics and managed to clear the ball effectively.

With three minutes added, Severin earned the Hornets a freekick yards outside the area and this was to be the last chance for the Hornets to get a consolation goal.

Smith croseed to Graham but the striker's shot lacked power and the Golden Boys were forced to go home with nothing to show for their brave efforts.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit, Williamson, Doyley; McAnuff (Harley 76), Jenkins, Severin, Smith; Graham (Bryan 92), Ellington (Sordell 71). Subs not used: Lee, Hodson, Eustace, Hoskins.

SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-4-2): Bunn; Walker, Morgan (c) Kilgallon, Taylor; Ward (11) (Cotterrill 69), Howard, Montgomery, Treacy (Reid 77); Henderson, Evans (Quinn 90 +2). Subs not used: Bennett, France, Bromby, Little.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD: Mariappa (78) Sordell (84) SHEFFIELD UNITED: Ward (57), Treacy (65)

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD: none. SHEFFIELD UNITED: none.

GOALS: WATFORD: none.  SHEFFIELD UNITED: Ward (11), Evans (62)

REFEREE: Mr M Oliver

ATTENDANCE: 24, 638 (away 656)