Steve Garland at Brammall Lane

Snapshot: A Peter Whittingham hat-trick was just enough to seal a 4-3 victory and send the Bluebirds to second in the Championship with their first win in six visits to Bramall Lane.

Jay Bothroyd gave the Bluebirds the lead five minutes before half time in what would be the first of four goals in a frantic end to the first half.

Darius Henderson equalised a minute later, before Peter Whittingham regained the lead from the penalty spot. Amazingly Darius Henderson then equalised again in first half injury time.

With just over half an hour to go, Peter Whittingham regained the Bluebirds their lead, before seemingly making sure of the win with a goal just eight minutes from time.

James Harper got one back for Sheffield United in stoppage time in what seemed like a consolation goal, only for Stephen Quinn to see his last minute equaliser chalked off for offside.

Chronological Report: If Cardiff were to extend their four match unbeaten run at Bramall Lane, they would have to do so against a side who they have failed to beat in six games.

And they almost got off to the best of starts when Anthony Gerrard nearly gave the Bluebirds the lead inside the first minute of play. Adam Matthews floated free-kick fortunately landed to the centre back, who looking to build on his goal against Coventry in mid week could only shoot wide with the goal at his mercy.

But after a relatively quiet start to the game, the Blades were now looking the most likely to take the lead as Keith Treacy and Andy Taylor combined well to put Taylor through in the box and had time to hit a low cross in the direction of Ched Evans. Only a last ditch tackle from Mark Hudson could stop the Welsh international tapping home.

But it was the Bluebirds who hit the back of the net first with just under twenty minutes gone, only to see the linesman on the nearside flagging for offside. A floated free-kick from the right found Jay Bothroyd with time to pick his spot. He did and hit the bottom corner of the net with his effort only to see the linesman flag for offside to the disbelief of the entire Bluebirds team.

Sheffield United Substitution: Andy Taylor off - Jordan Stewart on (32 mins)

In truth, Bothroyd's disallowed goal was the only major talking point in a rather poor opening half an hour at Bramall Lane with both sides looking very evenly matched, but with just five minutes to go in the half the game finally exploded into life with an amazing four goals before half time.

Jay Bothroyd opened the goal rout by giving the Bluebirds the lead after Craig Morgan's clearance rebounded off Matthew Killgallon in his own penalty area. With only the keeper to beat Jay slotted home but once again saw the linesman's flag up for offside, having adjudged Chopra to have rebounded the ball and not Killgallon. With much protest from the Cardiff team and after much discussion between the Referee and his assistant, Referee Kettle over-ruled the assistant's initial decision and awarded Bothroyd his fourth goal of the season.

GOAL: Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff City (Jay Bothroyd 40 mins)

But with many still debating the decision to award the Bluebirds the lead, the Blades instantly made amends and equalised within a minute. Keith Treacy's cross from the left flicked off the back off Mark Hudson in the area, giving Darius Henderson to opportunity to finish. He did and instantly drew the Blades level.

GOAL: Sheffield United 1-1 Cardiff City (Darius Henderson 42 mins)

That was not to be the end of the goal scoring action however in what had turned into more of a Basketball match than Football as Cardiff again took the lead only a minute later through a Peter Whittingham penalty. From an Adam Matthews free-kick Jay Bothroyd was blatantly brought down by Darius Henderson in the box and with no hesitation, referee Kettle awarded the Bluebirds the chance to regain their lead. Peter Whittingham slotted home from the spot to make it seven goals in the last six matches for the City winger.

GOAL: Sheffield United 1-2 Cardiff City (Peter Whittingham Pen 43 mins)

So now back in front Cardiff looked to take the lead into the break but switched off once again as Darius Henderson rounded off a quite frantic end to the first half as he drew the Blades level in stoppage time. David Marshall saved Ched Evans initial header from a Keith Treacy cross only for it to fall back on the head of Henderson who easily headed home for the Blades second equaliser in four minutes.

GOAL: Sheffield United 2-2 Cardiff City (Darius Henderson 45 mins)

Half Time: Sheffield United 2-2 Cardiff City

After a quite stunning end to the first half, the second looked to get off in the same manner as Sheffield United pushed to take the lead from the off; Keith Treacy's cross from the left just evading Welsh international Ched Evans in front of goal.

It was sign of things to come as the Blades had the better of the opening ten minutes of the half and perhaps should have taken the lead through Matthew Killgallon, who could only smash his effort over the bar from a Darius Henderson knock down.

But it was to be the Bluebirds who would hit the next blow in the game as Peter Whittingham smashed home to give City the lead for the third time. Whitt's capitalised on Matthew Killgallon's hesitation to clear a Chris Burke cross, turning the former Leeds defender and smashing home from close range into the back of the net, claiming his tenth league goal of the season in the process.

GOAL: Sheffield United 2-3 Cardiff City (Peter Whittingham 58 mins)

There was to be no immediate comeback from the Blades this time however, as the Bluebirds settled down and tried to maintain their lead for more than a few minutes, before going in search of a fourth.

Sheffield United Substitution: Glen Little off - David Cotterill on (61 mins)

Sheffield United Substitution: Ched Evans off - Henri Camara on (66 mins)

The introduction of Henri Camara was the last throw of the dice for Kevin Blackwell who was staring at his side sixth game without a win. It was a fact not lost on his team either as they pushed forward for yet another equaliser. They almost got it.

Cardiff City Substitutions: Stephen McPhail off - Gavin Rae on (72 mins)

With the game now entering its latter stages, Matthew Killgallon was first to be denied as he blasted the ball towards goal from yet another Chris Morgan knockdown, only to see his rasping effort deflect over from an unaware Cardiff defender.

Cardiff City Substitutions: Chris Burke off- Ross McCormack on (78 mins)

Keith Treacy was then put through on goal by a superb through ball, only for substitute Gavin Rae to put enough pressure on the hesitant winger to ensure he shot wide, to the relief of David Marshall in goal. The next goal in the game would be the crucial one as the match started to draw to a close and it was Cardiff who got it and hit the killer blow to finally blunt the Blades.

And it came from what was proving to be a familiar source as Peter Whittingham hit the back of the net and capped off a brilliant hat-trick, his first as a professional footballer. Substitute Ross McCormack started off the move before feeding Chopra through in space. Chops' quickly found Bothroyd who then crossed low into the feet of the free Peter Whittingham on the right, finishing well by slotting home at Ian Bennett's near post and in the process seal the win for the Bluebirds, but for another frantic end to the half.

GOAL: Sheffield United 2-4 Cardiff City (Peter Whittingham 84 mins)

But in a game that you just could not predict, the Blades got themselves back within one in stoppage time, as James Harper slotted home for what seemed to be a late consolation goal. The Bluebirds defence could not stop the former Reading man as he prodded into the net.

GOAL: Sheffield United 3-4 Cardiff City (James Harper 93 mins)

The action was not over though as Sheffield United almost secured an astonishing comeback through Stephen Quinn. Cardiff keeper David Marshall saved Darius Henderson's initial shot, falling to Stephen Quinn to tap home. He did and erupted with excitement, as he looked to have grabbed the equaliser only to see the linesman on the nearside to rule him offside.

Soon after Referee Kettle blew for full-time and ensured Cardiff of the three points and a superb victory to push them up to second place in the Championship table.

FULL TIME: SHEFFIELD UTD 3-4 CARDIFF