Warnock: I'm bitter about the last two weeks

Ex-Blade David Unsworth, a free transfer to the JJB Stadium in January, scored the crucial penalty in first-half injury time which gave Wigan the win they needed to fashion their own great escape from the drop.

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And despite still seething over what he perceives to be a catalogue of unfair treatment - chiefly the Premier League's decision not to dock West Ham points - United boss Warnock admitted he is probably fighting a lost cause.

He said: "I feel bitter about all the circumstances over the last two weeks really but by Tuesday it will all be fish and chip paper. I have just got to get over that bitterness.

"It will all be in the bin and there won't be a big hoo-haa. Sheffield United - so what? West Ham are a big club with big reputations and they've obviously got good solicitors."

Warnock ought never to have needed to write off his season with another angry outpouring as his team went into the final day needing only to avoid defeat to retain their place in the top flight.

It seemed a much harder task for beleaguered Wigan but their faith was placed in the experience of boss Paul Jewell - a veteran of previous last-gasp heroics, including a great escape with Bradford.

Jubilant Jewell drew on that, insisting: "I have been in football for a long time now and I know when people have some doubts in their mind you have got to play on them.

"Sheffield United didn't have to win today to stay up but we had nothing else on our minds but to win the game. I said to the players, they will be edgy because it is all in their hands.

"People's persona of Wigan is that it is probably the least attractive club in the Premiership so we deserve great credit for being there for a third successive season."

Wigan starter much the better side at a sold-out Bramall Lane and deserved their 14th-minute lead when Kevin Kilbane's low cross from the left was swept home by Paul Scharner.

The Blades equalised in the 37th minute through Jon Stead's brave header from a Phil Jagielka cross, which left the former Blackburn man down and seemingly unconscious for a spell on the turf.

But Unsworth's spot-kick in first-half injury-time, after a clear handball by Jagielka, turned the tide back in the Latics' favour even though the visitors had to withstand a few scares.

Danny Webber hit the base of the post after bursting clean through, a Keith Gillespie cross hit the crossbar and Wigan had to play the last 17 minutes with 10 men after Lee McCulloch was sent off.

"I feel like I have just run a marathon," grinned Jewell afterwards, while Warnock - who refused to discuss his own future - questioned the fairness of Manchester United and Liverpool fielding weakened teams.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men started without Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs in their home defeat to West Ham, following the lead of Liverpool who made multiple changes for their loss at Fulham the previous week.

Describing relegation a "gut-wrenching, horrible feeling", Warnock could not resist shrugging: "Fate's fate.

"Probably, Chelsea will win the FA Cup final and AC Milan will win the Champions League."