The promotion-chasing Tigers went down to a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon despite playing against ten men for 45 minutes.

In clash of the Championship's two top in-form teams, a poor display from second-in-the-table City was punished by second half goals from Stephen Quinn and  a James Beattie penalty.

Phil Brown was forced to make one change to his starting eleven.

With Wayne Brown failing to recover from injury in time, David Livermore was brought into the side for his first appearance since the New Year's Day visit to Stoke City.

Henrik Pedersen was fit enough to take a place on the bench with Nathan Doyle the man to drop out of the squad.

In a change from his familiar midfield role, Livermore lined up alongside Michael Turner at centre back as another huge away following got behind the Tigers at kick off.

It was City who had the first chance of the game when Fraizer Campbell found himself in space 20 yards out, but with Dean Marney and Caleb Folan in space either side of him, Campbell decided to go for goal.

His shot was weak and easily saved by Paddy Kenny.

Livermore was harshly booked in the 13th minute for a foul on the touchline.

Sheffield United threatened for the first time in open play on 17 minutes when Michael Tonge was allowed to run through the midfield, but his final shot went over the bar.

United had another chance shortly after following a short corner. Stephen Quinn's low cross to the near post by James Beattie, but his flick went over.

Chris Morgan was shown a yellow card for a foul on Campbell on 25 minutes as City were awarded a free kick midway inside the opposition half.

Dean Marney delivered with his right foot, but it went straight into the hands of Paddy Kenny.

Craig Fagan got himself booked a minute later after trying to calm a confrontation between Quinn and Sam Ricketts.

Marney had a great chance on 28 minutes when a Ricketts cross dropped to him 14 yards out, but he sliced his volley off target.

Andy Dawson needed treatment after going down close to the touchline. After a fairly lengthy delay, Dawson gingerly continued.

Billy Sharp missed a great opportunity five minutes before the break, heading over when unmarked six yards from goal.

United were awarded a free kick on the angle of the City box when Dawson was penalised for handball, but Quinn's set-piece was easily claimed by Boaz Myhill.

The home side were reduced to ten men in first half added time.

Morgan, who had already been booked, pulled Campbell's shirt as the striker made his way towards the penalty area.

The incident was missed by the referee, but after consulting his assistant, the United skipper was shown a second yellow card.

City couldn't take further advantage of the situation, though, as Dawson's free kick was blocked by the wall.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 Blades

United made a change at half time, bringing on defender Ugo Ehiogu in place of David Cotterill.

City won a corner early in the second half when Dawson's cross was deflected behind. Marney took it, but again he could only find the hands of Kenny.

Myhill had to be at his best in the 49th minute, turning away Sharp's close range header after he had been found by a wonderful cross from Tonge.

The home side deservedly took the lead a minute later.

City failed to clear a ball into the box and when it fell to Quinn, he lashed a superb volley into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

The winger was then booked for removing his shirt in celebration.

City reacted by making a change as Pedersen replaced Fagan.

That saw Bryan Hughes move into the middle with Marney going onto the right. Pedersen played down the left.

United were continuing to dominate and a goalmouth scramble almost resulted in them doubling their lead, but Michael Turner managed to clear.

City's second change came just after the hour when Dean Wndass came on for Dawson. That resulted in a change of formation to 4-3-3 with Pedersen dropping to left back.

United were awarded a penalty on 72 minutes when Livermore brought Sharp down.

Leading scorer James Beattie stepped up and although Myhill went the right way, he had no chance of saving it.

City's final change saw Ryan France replace Livermore as City went for a 3-4-3 formation.

Play was then briefly held up when a lone City fan decided to invade the pitch. He was soon ejected.

Marney wasted a glorious chance to get City back into the game after being set up by Windass, but the midfielder fired wide from 12 yards.

A shot from Hughes was deflected just wide to give City a corner nine minutes from time, but Marney's delivery only found a red and white shirt.

Windass was booked on 87 minutes for dissent.

In truth, referee Phil Dowd had been poor and very inconsistent throughout.

The forward then saw a free kick saved at full stretch by Kenny.

With their win against Bristol City later in the day, Stoke City leapfrogged the Tigers to move into the second automatic promotion slot.

The Potters now have a three-point advantage with only two games to play.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, David Livermore (France 76), Andy Dawson (Windass 62); Craig Fagan (Pedersen 55), Dean Marney, Ian Ashbee [captain], Bryan Hughes; Fraizer Campbell, Caleb Folan.

Subs: Matt Duke, Simon Walton, Ryan France, Henrik Pedersen, Dean Windass.

Bookings: Livermore 14, Fagan 26, Windass 88

Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny; John Halls, Chris Morgan [captain], Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith; David Cotterill (Ehiogu 46), Michael Tonge, Gary Speed, Stephen Quinn; James Beattie, Billy Sharp (Stead 78).

Subs: Jon Stead, Rob Hulse, Keith Gillespie, Lee Martin, Ugo Ehiogu.

Bookings: Morgan 25, Morgan 45, Quinn 51

Sent-Off: Morgan 45 (second bookable offence)