'Rolls-Royce' Kilgallon keeps Blades in gear

Classy centre-half Kilgallon earned a Rolls-Royce' accolade from relieved manager Neil Warnock for his role in resisting the drowned men of Watford, who were set on pulling the Blades down with them.

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It is a measure of Watford's refusal to go under quietly that the home team's outstanding performers were arguably Kilgallon, fellow centre-back Chris Morgan and goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Michael Tonge's 43rd-minute decider, deflected past a helpless Ben Foster by defender Chris Powell's shoulder, ensured that West Ham's win at Wigan would not bring more pressure to bear on Sheffield.

Kilgallon's thoughts inevitably drifted to the shattered Elland Road dressing-room 30 miles up the M1. But former Leeds player Kilgallon — sold as recently as January and who travels from Leeds each day with Bramall Lane team-mates Leigh Bromby and Nick Montgomery — still recalls the anguish of losing to Watford in last season's play-offs.

He said: "Losing the play-off final was gutting because we'd done ever so well. And to see them where they are at the moment is gutting because I'm a Leeds fan.

"The Leeds lads come round my house most nights. They're a great bunch. Robbie Blake was round on Thursday night and we had a meal. We just talked about things. Who knows what would have happened if I'd stayed? Everyone wants to play in the Premiership and I got that chance. The gaffer has put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay him by doing my best.

"The Leeds lads say that going down is the worst feeling ever. I don't want that to happen here. We've put ourselves in a good spot, but we have to make sure we keep winning with two more games to go."

Kilgallon's delayed first home start for Sheffield — he arrived from Leeds with a damaged ankle — came despite a niggling calf injury that had manager Warnock ruling him out of the game until 48 hours before kick-off.

But Warnock said: "He's playing like we first saw him at Leeds, almost like a Rolls Royce and he's such a nice lad, too. Apart from his hairstyle and his clothes, he's got all the makings of a good player."

Warnock is among those critical of West Ham's escape' at the FA's hands: "Bury obviously don't employ the right lawyers," he sniped, noting that his old club were kicked out of the FA Cup for a lesser offence.

"If it had been Sheffield United, Watford, Wigan, there would have been points deducted. Everybody knows that.

"They've made a rod for their own backs. I can't see how anybody can get points deducted now."