The Blades were unquestionably the better of the two teams against promotion hopefuls Leicester City last night, but a lapse of concentration, misfortune and lack of guile was to blame for United's 0:1 home loss to the Foxes.
United came up against an in-form goalkeeper in Chris Weale, who produced some fine saves to keep Leicester in it.
Nick Montgomery's blistering effort was tipped over by the goalkeeper, but Weale, who was well and truly beaten, couldn't do anything about Lee Williamson's free-kick which struck the post.
United peppered Leicester's rearguard in order to cancel out Andy King's fourth minute opener.
Bent blazed over, Lowry missed a golden opportunity with a free header, and Matt Oakley headed the ball off the line in the second-half after a Parrino header.
United's luck was compounded in injury time when the magnificent Weale tipped over from Parrino's acrobatic effort.
Micky Adams was also dealt with a huge blow with the injury to Joe Mattock in the first-half.
Just about ever stat is in United's favour, and Adams says he can't fault the players.
He said: "I have to say that we were unlucky. People want honesty and straight-forward stuff in our comments after a game and I honestly feel that should not just have drawn the match but won it - we deserved to win.
"I wish I could go in the dressing-room and tear a strip off the lads but they are an honest lot who gave everything they had.
"But for some bad luck and magnificent goalkeeping - and we should have had a penalty when Bamba handled the ball at the Kop end - we had virtually all the chances.
"At times we tried to score the perfect goal but that was probably down to confidence, a little lack of belief, but it will come, I am sure.
"There is no doubt that things are not going for us but I am convinced that we are on the right track and that our luck will turn.
"The players gave their all and the fans could see that. If the players continue doing that and the supporters see it I am sure that they will stay with us."
The Blades boss confirmed that the extent of Joe Mattock's horrific but innocuous injury is still to be realised: "It is too early to say how bad the damage is but he has hurt both his ankle and knee. He will have scans in the morning and we will take it from there."
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