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Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell believes Billy Sharp came of age with the goal that earned Sheffield United their first win over local rivals Barnsley at Oakwell in 19 years.

Sharp netted the winner in the 77th minute to clinch resurgent United a fourth straight win.

The 22-year-old has now hit three goals in as many games to help catapult the Blades up the table and end a drought which stretched back as far as September following his summer move back to his hometown club from Scunthorpe.

"I thought it was a terrific goal. People say to me: 'Billy Sharp, £2million - I'd have paid £4million.' You look at that and you realise why.

"Goals like that, the kid now is looking like whenever he gets in there he can finish and you have to pay money for players that can finish.

"With a game as tight as it was today, it's proven to be a terrific finish.

Plaudits

"Billy will get the plaudits today and when you look at what's happened to him over the season I think he richly deserves it.

"To learn the hardest lesson of all as a footballer, that you have to treat success and failure the same way.

"It was a tough, tough spell for him and I was delighted to see him come out of the other side. I think that will make him a top-class striker now."

Blackwell remains guarded about a play-off challenge, but will not rule out a late charge for a top-six finish.

"I'd love to say it, but there's a lot of work to do and it's not in our hands to be fair," added Blackwell.

"What we've said we've got to try and do is just keep winning games and let's just see what happens.

"I'm not sure where that win leaves us, but what I do know is the players believe a lot more in themselves and can win at home and away - that's two away wins back-to-back now and two home wins.

"We've got to go to Preston and try and get a result and if we can do that it will be very interesting to see what happens."

Barnsley manager Simon Davey could not hide his disappointment after following up last week's reverse at Crystal Palace with another defeat.

But Davey insists his players' minds are not already on Wembley.

The FA Cup semi-finalists now lie perilously close to the bottom three, but Davey insists his side will soon climb clear of trouble.

"I don't think minds are on the FA Cup. It's you lot that keep saying that," bemoaned Davey.

Focussed

"The players are focused on the league and if you can tell me any one player out there who was thinking about Wembley today I'll buy you a pint.

"We dominated and had spells where the ball just wouldn't drop for us, or it would ricochet off somebody, or they'd get in a last-ditch tackle, cleared off the line, penalties that should have been, but weren't given and that's what it was like all day.

"But the points will tell you where we are and that's just above the relegation zone.

"It's not acceptable and we've got seven games left to get the points on the board to make sure we're not dragged into it.

"I'm confident we're not going to be dragged in and so are the players. We're happy we can get out of this situation."