Sheffield United 2, QPR 1: '˜Dark horses' United clear another big hurdle in race for the play-offs

Goals either side of the interval from Richard Stearman and the impressive John Lundstram moved them to seventh in the table and within a point of sixth-placed Bristol City.

But the manner of United’s victory, against a Queens Park Rangers side which had narrowly triumphed when the two clubs met at Loftus Road earlier this term, served to remind why Wilder has warned there could be plenty of late plot twists as the story of the season draws to a close.

Luke Freeman’s effort turned-out to be a consolation for the visitors but completely changed their opponents’ demeanour and guaranteed an anxious ending.

“I’m delighted with the result and delighted that we had to find a way,” Wilder said. “We deserved to win, there’s no doubt about that in my mind. But you have to work out a way to come through and we did.”

Ian Holloway, the Rangers manager, only had to read Wilder’s notes in the matchday programme to discover how United planned to approach the fixture.

Ordered to “go full tilt” and “fight” every time they set foot on a football pitch, the 50-year-old attempted to hammer home his point by dashing across the technical area and recycling the ball every time it went out of play. The message, interspersed with orders barked towards the referee, was clear: Purpose, character and conviction are vitally important attributes at this stage of the campaign.

It clearly resonated with United’s players who created numerous opportunities before Stearman pounced after Leon Clarke had helped on a Mark Duffy corner.