New Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom suffered a defeat in his first game in charge as his new side went down to a 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United.
Former Leeds striker Billy Sharp was to prove to be the party-pooper for Heckingbottom, as he scored twice for the blades to continue his good run against Leeds, making it six goals against Leeds in his last seven appearances against his former club.
Sharp, who opened the scoring in the second minute when the two sides met at Elland Road earlier in the season, repeated the feat, when he fired into the roof of the net after finding space in the Leeds area.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga looked like he was going to earn Leeds a point when he headed home in the second half but Sharp was to have the final say when he fired home from the penalty spot after a controversial penalty had been awarded by referee Andy Madley.
Madley pointed to the spot after Eunan O`kane had been adjudged to have fouled John Fleck but there looked to be minimal contact made by the Leeds midfielder.
Leeds tried in vain to earn a late point. Pablo Hernandez fired wide of the target and Laurens De Bock then saw his effort deflected just wide.
The defeat means Leeds remain winless in 2018 and Heckingbottom will now prepare for his first game at Elland Road against Bristol City next weekend.
Teams/
Sheffield United
Blackman, Stearman, Basham, O`Connell,Baldock, Stevens, Fleck, Clarke, Duffy (Leonard), Sharp (Holmes 90), L. Evans (Lundstram 88)
Subs not used
Eastwood, Lafferty, Wilson, Donaldson, Wilson,
Leeds United
Wiedwald, Dallas, Jansson, Pennington, De Bock, Forshaw, O`Kane (C), Phillips (Ekuban 77), Roofe (Hernandez 45), Lasogga, Alioski (Sacko 75)
Subs not used
Lonergan, Anita, Cibicki, Vieira