NEIL Warnock has conceded that the best his Sheffield United side can hope for after being beaten at home by Ipswich was a play-off berth.Before the game started Warnock had warned an automatic place would probably be beyond the Blades if they lost to Town, and after coming off second best he confirmed his fears.

By Derek Davis

NEIL Warnock has conceded that the best his Sheffield United side can hope for after being beaten at home by Ipswich was a play-off berth.

Before the game started Warnock had warned an automatic place would probably be beyond the Blades if they lost to Town, and after coming off second best he confirmed his fears.

The Sheffield boss said: “Life goes on. We have 15 games left and I believe we can regroup and push on. Realistically we are now looking to be in the play-off pack. We have got to be in among them first, but I would fancy our chances against any one of them.”

Warnock admitted to being frustrated but not disappointed at the way his side performance against the league leaders.

He said: “We've played against a good side. They are a good side because they beat us 2-0 and have not played very well.”

Warnock picked out Kelvin Davis as the main difference between the sides. He said: “Apart from a world class goalkeeping display we would have got something out of the game. He didn't have any right to get to Michael Tonge's effort. He has pulled off some magnificent saves.

“His performance was the best I have seen for some time. Paddy Kenny didn't have a save to make so I'm not going to get too down.”

United dropped to eighth after the defeat in the wake of West Ham's late win over Cardiff yesterday.

Warnock could not fail to mention the officials, after spending a long time in discussion with a referee's assistant.

He said: “I asked the linesman if he thought he had done very well.

“I told him 'that's what concerns me'.”

Sheffield United have made a third bid for Stoke City's unsettled striker Ade Akinbiyi but still face a fight from Wigan to sign him.