Hull City denied Sheffield United the chance to reclaim top spot in the Championship with a shock 3-0 win at Bramall Lane.
The Blades started the day in second place, one point behind leaders Leeds while Hull were one point adrift in the relegation zone.
Matt Crooks led the way for the Tigers, firing in the opener in his first start since joining the club (6).
Sheffield United struggled to take control of the game after going behind, but in the second half they thought they had found an equalizer through Tyrese Campbell. The 55th minute substitute, replacing Andre Brooks, capped off a breakaway only to see the linesman's flag immediately for offside.
In a dramatic turn of events, Hull countered at the other end to double their lead through Matty Jacob, who had also been introduced in the second half.
The Blades continued to push after the second set-back but it only allowed Hull to concede once more, this time Harrison Burrows turning the ball into his own net (88) to seal defeat on a forgettable night in his side's pursuit seal for promotion .
Three points for Hull sees them escape the relegation zone to move to 18th in the Championship.
The result also serves as a boost for Sheffield United's promotion rivals in Monday night's match between league leaders Leeds and third-placed Burnley, Live on Sky Sports.
It was a quick start for Hull who showed, but they showed some signs of vulnerability in the early exchanges with goalkeeper Ivor Pandur aiming for the corners. It was from one of those corners, however, that Hull broke and silenced the Bramall Lane crowd.
Abou Kamara drove down the left and attempted to cross to Joseph, his effort poorly cleared by Alfie Gilchrist who kindly set the ball up for Crooks to wrap home from the edge of the area. Callum O'Hare will rustle up a number of spurned chances as his late runs almost gave the Hull area the home side an advantage, but he went wide twice.
Sheffield United's 19 first-half crosses did little to dent Hull's confidence as they emerged from the break still ready to take the game to the knives.
Campbell's introduction yielded almost immediate results as he picked up a ball, helped by fellow substitute Rhian Brewster to cross in from the area. However, the offside flag stopped celebrations in a decision that Sky Sports Commentator and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Andy Hinchcliffe disagreed with.
“He seems to be timing the run perfectly,” Hinchcliffe said on commentary.
“It looks like McLoughlin was playing at Brewster so it doesn't look like there's an obvious offside. Then the ball has flown up [by Brewster] And Campbell is far from offside. “
Hull took the opportunity to attack down the other end and Drameh's cross inside the area produced results as Jacob extended his leg to further strengthen Hull's lead.
The third came as the final whistle beckoned with tired legs coming in. Joao Pedro drove into the box and beat defenders before drawing a cross into the mixer. Burrows failed to find his legs and could only play the ball into his own net. Jesurun Rak Saky's late curling, tame effort from distance summed up the Blades' Night as they staggered to defeat.
The managers
Sheffield United's Chris Wilder:
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Hull's Ruben sells:
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