Peschisolido fires play-off warning as Wolves lose the scent

Sheffield United 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

Paul Peschisolido will use the final two games of the season to convince Neil Warnock that he is the player to guide Sheffield United through the play-offs and into the Premiership

"We've got a never say die attitude here," the Canadian international said. "The gaffer's got it, and it's rubbed off on all of us"

Warnock watched Peschisolido produce two excellent finishes – including a stunning injury-time volley – as United shared six goals with Wolves at Bramall Lane, and the Blades' manager now has numerous options up front with every one of his strikers finding their form at the right time.

Peschisolido's late equaliser kept United on course to finish third and ensure Warnock's players have home advantage in the second leg of their play-off semi-final.

The striker had opened the scoring after just two minutes with a clinical lob over the Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray following a poor clearance from Joleon Lescott, but goals from George Ndah and Dean Sturridge gave the visitors the lead at the interval.

Michael Brown equalised with a penalty five minutes after half-time but Sturridge's second goal – also from the penalty spot – looked to have given Wolves three points until Peschisolido struck late on.

Dave Jones was highly critical of his side, although the Wolves manager will not have been disappointed by the return to form of Sturridge, who also hit the post during the first half.

"We started sloppy and finished sloppy," said Jones, who could find himself up against the Blades again during the play-offs. "I've said to the lads that it's not running water. You can't just turn it on and turn it off when you feel like it."

Warnock's mood, though, was in total contrast to his Wolves counterpart, and he is confident that his team are on the verge of handing him the fifth play-off success of his managerial career.

United could have had another penalty after just 10 minutes when Steve Kabba appeared to be brought down inside the box by Murray, and Warnock said: "We've missed out on quite a lot of decisions lately. Hopefully, if what they say is true and it levels out in a season, we should be due some right luck in the play-offs."

Goals: Peschisolido (2) 1-0; Ndah (10) 1-1; Sturridge (45)1-2; Brown pen (56) 2-2; Sturridge pen (62) 2-3; Peschisolido (90) 3-3.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Kenny; Curtis, Murphy (Jagielka, h-t), Page, Kozluk; Rankine, Montgomery (Allison, 67), Brown, Morrison (Tonge, 75); Kabba, Peschisolido. Substitutes not used: Asaba, Ndlovu.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Murray; Edworthy, Lescott, Butler, Naylor; Cooper, Cameron, Rae, Kennedy; Sturridge, Ndah. Substitutes not used: Newton, Pollet, Miller, Clingan, Oakes (gk).

Referee: J P Robinson (Hull).

Bookings: Sheffield United: Peschisolido. Wolves: Rae.

Man of the match: Peschisolido.

Attendance: 22,211.