Sheffield United's promising season got even better thanks to a good win over Division One rivals Walsall at Bramall Lane.

Goals from on-loan striker Tommy Mooney and Peter Ndlovu were enough to book the Blades a profitable place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

And they looked worthy winners against a frustrated Walsall side that had manager Colin Lee sent from the dugout during the second half.

KEY MOMENTS

39 mins: Mooney poaches the opener after Walker spills 56 mins: Ndlovu heads in a Brown cross 70 mins: Walsall boss Lee is sent from the dugout

Walsall had the better of the opening exchanges, with their foreign signings Junior and Jorge Leitao seeing much of the ball.

But it was United's Danny Hay who forced the first good save of the tie, rifling a 20-yarder at Jimmy Walker, who turned the ball round the post.

The home team gradually imposed their will on proceedings as Ndlovu and Steve Kabba began to show glimpses of their skill and pace.

Ndlovu created a good chance midway through the half, when he wriggled clear of the last defender only to fire straight at Walker.

I thought the attitude from my players was great, but then it has been like that all season Neil Warnock Blades boss

And Kabba missed wide with his header from a good near-post cross by Mooney.

When the opener eventually arrived on 39 minutes, it was surrounded by good fortune.

The ball bobbled on the edge of the Walsall penalty area before falling kindly to Michael Brown, who unleashed a low shot.

Walker saved to his left but could only parry into the path of Mooney, who applied a cool, point-blank finish.

The start of the second half mirrored the first with Walsall taking the game to their hosts.

But when they failed to find any end product, the Blades again cut through their defence to double the lead.

I'm pleased with my first goal and now hopefully the next half dozen will follow Tommy Mooney

Brown was again the provider, whipping in a deep cross for Ndlovu to head home on 56 minutes.

Things then went from bad to worse for Walsall.

Shortly after Brazilian Junior came close to bundling the ball in from close range, furious manager Lee was sent from the dugout for apparent verbal abuse of the fourth official.

Then Leitao made a bright run, only to be thwarted by the brave dive of Blades keeper Patrick Kenny.

The incident summed up Walsall's fortunes in the tie and Sheffield United might have added to their tally before the final whistle blew.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Jagielka, Murphy, Page, Quinn, Ndlovu, Brown, McCall, Tonge, Kabba (Peschisolido 75), Mooney (Allison 77).
Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Yates, Ten Heuvel.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Hay, Carbon (Roper 45), Aranalde, Corica, O'Connor (Matias 45), Simpson, Wrack, Leitao, Junior.
Subs Not Used: Zdrilic, Barras, Ward.

Booked: Aranalde, Simpson, Junior.

Attendance: 17,510

Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).