The powerful striker netted United's second from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after Stephen Quinn had opened the scoring with a classy volley five minutes after the break.

Beattie's goal was his 22nd of the season but Blackwell feels it is about time he was recognised for his overall contribution to the team.

He said: "His work rate up and down that right-hand side was brilliant. People question his work rate but he's doing something right because his work rate for the team has been absolutely phenomenal.

"He won everything in the air and he looked very calm and assured with the ball and he looked a total threat. And, of course, he got another goal.

"I'm delighted for him. It's great working with players of real quality who want to work. And I have to say it's a pleasure working with James Beattie."

United's stirring second-half performance was made all the more remarkable considering their captain Chris Morgan had been dismissed on the stroke of half-time after hauling down Fraizer Campbell.

But Blackwell insists the belief that currently permeates through his side ensured he was never in doubt that they would go on to claim all three points.

"I think there is such belief amongst the players," he added.

"The confidence is just exuding out of the players and I said at half-time it doesn't matter if we go down to nine men I think we can win the game. And they believed it as well. It's all right saying it, but they've got to believe that it's going to happen."

The Blades remain five points away from the play-off zone following Crystal Palace's win over Watford, but Blackwell remains confident his side can gatecrash the top six.

He said: "I think the lads have done terrifically to keep this season alive. And, believe you me, we're still in there. You look at the way the players are playing at the moment, why should we doubt that we have the ability to do it?"

Hull boss Phil Brown conceded that his side were well below par and felt United were good value for their win.

He said: "It was disappointing from a personal point of view because we didn't perform.

"As the manager I can say it was an uncharacteristic performance and thank God it has been. I think I can count on one hand how many times we've played as poorly as that this season.

"We didn't perform with the ball today. When they went down to 10 men we didn't pass the ball like we have been. If we had passed the ball better, quicker and with more tempo then their 10 men would have suffered.

"But give them credit because they deserved the win - there's no arguments about the result."

Brown also had a defiant message for the home crowd about his side's status as the premier team in the region.

"Their supporters were goading us towards the end but if they'd played like that all season then they'd be the top team in Yorkshire, but they're not, we are.

"It's a one-off and hopefully it will remain that way between now and the end of the season."

ends