Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell issued an apology to supporters following last night's crushing 4-0 derby defeat by Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Blackwell said: "I will apologise to the fans because this is not good enough. This hurts.

"Sometimes you wake up in a morning and you know it's going to be a great day, but this ended up being a dark night.

"But that happens. I've got to accept it and move on, although our inexperience showed at the back."

Leeds fans, already upset by next season's proposed ticket price rise, vented their anger. It is difficult to see how Leeds are going to maintain this season's excellent home attendances if the season continues to go out with a whimper.

It was bad from start - literally - to finish for the home support.

Just 90 seconds were on the clock when Danny Webber, on loan from Watford, danced past Simon Walton and skipper Paul Butler before lashing a 16-yard drive past goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.

Leeds, playing the same formation which failed against Wolves on Saturday, were off the pace as the Blades cut a dash all over the park. They were quicker, sharper and more committed in every department.

On the half hour, Leeds-born midfielder Nick Montgomery, doubled the Blades' advantage when he stabbed home a cross from Alan Quinn, who had skinned stand-in teenage right-back Simon Walton.

Any hope of a comeback was shattered just a minute and 15 seconds after half-time when former Leeds starlet Andy Gray volleyed home the third, before taking his tally to 16 for the season in the 75th minute when beating Sullivan at the second attempt.

A dejected Blackwell admitted: "There were too many mistakes from our young lads in defence and it cost us dearly in the end."

Leeds' woes were compounded when Butler was taken off on a stretcher to hospital after losing consciousness and swallowing his tongue in a collision with Sullivan in the build-up to Sheffield's fourth goal.

"We just hope he's okay and our thoughts are with him, but it sums up a bad night," added Blackwell.

Warnock, for so long Blackwell's mentor during their many years together as manager and assistant at a number of clubs - primarily with Sheffield United - hailed the result as one of the best of his managerial career.

"You never expect anything in football, and I certainly didn't expect this. I thought the first half was as good as we have played for a number of years, " he said.

Coca-Cola Championship

Leeds United 0, Sheffield United 4

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Walton (Gregan 39), Butler (Carlisle 73), Kilgallon, Pugh, Johnson, Derry, Lennon, King (Moore 52), Healy, Hulse. Subs (not used): Spring, Einarsson. Cautions: Lennon, Johnson, Gregan, Ough.

Sheffield United: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Bromby, Harley, Montgomery, Quinn, Jagielka, Tongue (Geary HT), Webber (Kabba 84), Gray. Subs (not used): Barnes, Liddell, Thirlwell. Caution: Bromby. Goals: Webber 2, Montgomery 32, Gray 47, 72.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northampton)

Attendance: 28,936

Updated: 11:02 Wednesday, April 06, 2005