BLACKWELL OWES DEBT TO CAMARA.

SHEFF UTD 1 PETERBOROUGH 0 HENRI Camara's goal eased the pressure on manager Kevin Blackwell as Sheffield United clung on for a first Coca-Cola Championship win in nine matches.

Blackwell's side have fallen off the pace in recent weeks with injuries being a major factor in their slide.

Former Celtic and Wigan striker Camara fired the home side ahead from 12 yards three minutes before half time.

Bottom club Peterborough failed to mark manager Mark Cooper's first game in charge with their first away win in the league but will feel they deserved a point.

Cooper's new charges were under the cosh for long periods of the first period but created a string of chances after the break and were denied by Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who saved George Boyd's 66th-minute penalty.

Blackwell handed a first start to summer signing Lee Williamson as well as Camara, who also made his first starting appearance, while striker Aaron McLean returned to Peterborough's starting line-up.

Posh midfielder Boyd fired a left-footer wide from 25 yards and team-mate Chris Whelpdale was off target from similar distance but the Blades were in control for long spells in the first half.

Home striker Ched Evans hit the bar from Jamie Ward's corner in the 25th minute and a second effort from close range was blocked by Posh midfielder Toumani Diagouraga.

Morgan headed another corner from Ward wide and although McLean tried his luck from outside the area for the visitors, the Blades were rewarded for their dominance when Camara slammed the ball home after Evans' shot rebounded back off the legs of Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis following Ward's cross.

Foiled Camara was foiled by another block by Diagouraga straight from the kick-off and Andrew Davies headed Morgan's ball into the area just wide in the first half 's closing stages.

Peterborough responded after the interval, going close with Boyd's header from Scott Griffiths' ball in, while at the other end Camara went close when he headed Kyle Walker's cross over the bar.

The visitors stepped up the tempo and had three efforts on target in three minutes.

McLean's 20-yard shot was held by Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn who then caught Craig Mackail-Smith's effort from inside the box.

Mackail-Smith headed wide as Peterborough pressed before the Blades enjoyed the luck that has deserted them in recent weeks. Defender Davies fouled Mackail-Smith in the area but after Hertfordshire referee Grant Hegley had pointed to the spot Boyd's power penalty was brilliantly save by Bunn.

Still Peterborough chased an equaliser and Boyd went close four minutes later only for Bunn to foil his volley.

Blades midfielder James Harper could have killed the game but mis-hit his shot with the goal beckoning from Walker's cutback while Peterborough were becoming increasingly anxious after failing to convert second-half chances.

Posh pair Charlie Lee and Ryan Bennett were off target with long-range shots and Shaun Batt drilled a 25-yard shot wide in stoppage time.