Sheffield United claimed a 1-0 win against lowly Nottingham Forest to climb to fifth in the table.
Howard piles more misery on Calderwood
Sheffield United claimed a 1-0 win against lowly Nottingham Forest to climb to fifth in the table.
Brian Howard grabbed his first goal for the Blades as they moved back into the Championship play-off places.
The victory represents a first in four outings for Kevin Blackwell's men, while Forest remain second from bottom and firmly entrenched in relegation trouble.
United started well and they nearly took the lead with their first clear-cut chance after four minutes.
Stephen Quinn's cross from the left flank picked out James Beattie and Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp could only punch his close-range effort to Greg Halford, who fired into the side netting.
The Reds had their first clear chance of the game after 12 minutes when Joe Garner headed narrowly wide from Chris Cohen's dangerous inswinging free-kick.
Robert Earnshaw then spurned an excellent chance for the home side when he was played through on goal by Cohen's defence-splitting through ball, only to be denied by an excellent Paddy Kenny stop, diving low to his right to palm the ball away.
The rebound eluded the onrushing Earnshaw, but fell into the path of Paul Anderson who smashed his effort over the crossbar from 10 yards.
Threatened
The Blades threatened again five minutes later when Gary Naysmith was given too much space on the left wing and delivered an inch-perfect deep cross that Beattie could only nod wide.
The Blades then took the lead on 31 minutes when Beattie's far-post header caused confusion in the Forest box and Howard pounced to give the visitors a deserved advantage.
Nathan Tyson could have levelled for the home side when he was put through on goal by Garner after 42 minutes, but he blazed wide from eight yards.
After a dour start to the second period, Earnshaw nearly found the equaliser after 50 minutes but his header from 10 yards was easily caught by Kenny.
Colin Calderwood decided to change his tactics and brought on Arron Davies and Matt Thornhill after 64 minutes in an attempt to alter his side's fortunes.
His decision almost paid dividends three minutes later when pressure from Thornhill provoked an elaborate backpass from Matthew Kilgallon who had to rely on Kenny tipping the ball over to prevent an embarrassing own goal.
Tyson came close to finding an equaliser with a minute remaining, but his looping header from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar by Kenny.
