Chris Hughton hailed goalkeeper Steve Harper for a sensational clean sheet to send Newcastle back to the top of the Championship.

Hughton's men stole a fortunate 1-0 away win over Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United thanks to Chris Morgan's comical second-half own goal - handing the Blades their fourth straight defeat.

Harper had spent almost a decade in the shadow of Shay Given at St James' Park but is relishing the opportunity of first-team football since the latter signed for Manchester City.

He pulled of a string of fine saves to keep the Magpies in front, most notably the point-blank block to deny Darius Henderson's header deep into injury time. Hughton - in his first game in charge since being handed the job permanently - denied that luck had played its part in the win and said: "No. What we have had is Steve Harper who has made a couple of absolutely fabulous saves and that's the quality of the keeper he is.

"He's doing the business. There's different aspects to Steve Harper. He's a Newcastle lad and has been here for a long time, he's a calming influence, a mature lad and a mature player and that has been invaluable for us."