An unbeaten record in pre-season was nearly broken by the Shakers but Billy Sharp's patience paid off and sealed the win at Gigg Lane. Ironically it was Blades academy graduate Ryan Cresswell who put the Blades in front after he put the ball into his own net for the Shakers. Cresswell who joined Bury on a two year deal earlier this month then scored at the right end of the pitch for the Shakers.
Kevin Blackwell made two changes in the side that beat Scunthorpe 2:0 on Saturday with the strike force swapping around. Jon Stead and Billy Sharp were dropped with Danny Webber and Darius Henderson slotting into the available places.
It was the Blades that started the brightest as they recorded their first goal on 7 minutes. The ball landed sweetly for Gary Speed who could blast it onto Cresswell who had an unfortunate deflection to see the Bury goalkeeper wrong footed and the ball trickle into the net.
United's next player to have an effort at Bury's goal was surprisingly Chris Morgan. His volley was smacked into the face of Sodje. The Blades weren't alert when Hurst broke away from Kilgallon, he tried to take it round Kenny which he successfully did but only could touch the ball agonisingly wide.
Blackwell's troops conceded a goal on 19 minutes. It was ex Blade Ryan Cresswell who could leap above every Blades defender and direct his header past Kenny firmly to the bottom of the goal.
Tonge saw his effort skim Bury's crossbar and were close to regaining United's lead. Danny Webber also had his chance saved by the goalkeeper. Kenny who made 133 appearances for the Shaker's had to be kept on his toes when the talented Bishop had his top-corner curler tipped away by the hands of the Irishman.
Just before half-time Keith Gillespie picked up an ankle injury and had to be replaced by youngster Kyle Naughton. It has turned out that the Northern Ireland international has picked up ligament damage to his ankle.
Hurst tried his best efforts to put Bury in the lead but Matt Kilgallon was to halt his progression and performed a superb sliding tackle to stop him in his tracks. Meanwhile the Shakers were still pressing when Dawson's drill tested Kenny.
Morgan's flick on in the area met Danny Webber who could scrape his chance over the upright. Jordan Robertson's header on 85 minutes was easily caught by Belford in the Bury goal.
On the 90th minute Sharp could latch onto Naughton's through ball and slide it past the keeper. He salvaged the Blades an undeserved victory at Gigg Lane and keeps the 100% pre-season record.