MORGAN SEES RED AS BLADES BEAT GILLS

Danny Cadamateri and Adam Nowlands battle for the ball.

Shaw struck either side of half-time to take his tally to four goals in three matches, before Michael Tonge's fine breakaway strike looked like settling the outcome.

Blades skipper Chris Morgan was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a clash with Gills striker Darius Henderson and Leigh Bromby scored an own-goal to set up a tense finish.

But the visitors managed to kill the game off to pick up their second win in seven league matches.

Andy Hessenthaler's Gillingham have now gone seven matches without a win, have lost their last five games and have a battle on their hands if they are to extend their stay at this level of football.

United were without suspended top-scorer Andy Gray but Shaw, who is back in favour with manager Neil Warnock following a loan move to Rotherham earlier this season, made sure the Scotland international was not missed.

It was a low-key opening with both teams seemingly low on confidence. However, the Blades played the better football and took the lead on nine minutes.

Full-back Bromby's long throws have been a useful attacking weapon for United all season and proved to be so again, the former Sheffield Wednesday man launching the ball into the area for Morgan to flick on to the far post, where Shaw was lurking to produce a fine improvised finish.

Warnock's men came close to doubling their lead less than a minute later but Danny Cadamarteri failed to get off the mark for his new club, firing straight at Banks after he had brought Andy Liddell's cross down on his chest.

The Gills went close when Adam Nowland's long-range volley forced a good save from Paddy Kenny following Phil Jagielka's loose clearance.

But Shaw was a constant threat and was only thwarted by a fine low save by Banks after good interplay with Paul Thirlwell. However from Tonge's resulting corner, Banks had to rely on Andrew Crofts to clear Morgan's glancing header off the line.

The Blades came out after the break seemingly content to sit on their

Big Smile: Paul Shaw, along with Jon Harley (no 14) celebrates his second against his old club.

advantage but just before the hour Shaw extended their lead from close range.

The 31-year-old was in the right place to capitalise after Chris Hope failed to clear Liddell's cross and scored with a low finish into the bottom right corner to give Gillingham a mountain to climb.

United showed real class to extend their lead with 20 minutes remaining, Shaw starting a break with a sweeping ball right to Liddell, who cut infield into Gills territory and fed Tonge, who rifled a shot in at Banks' near post.

But just two minutes later they were down to 10 men after Morgan was sent off for a second bookable offence after tangling with Henderson. Bromby diverted Nowland's cross past Kenny with 15 minutes to go to give the Gills some hope but it proved merely a consolation.