United's second string were forced to settle for the runners-up spot in the totesport.com league after Derby secured the title with a dominant display at Bramall Lane on Tuesday afternoon.
County fielded a side consisting of ten players with Championship experience compared to United's two in Tonne and Philliskirk, neither of which have started at first team level. United also included West Ham youngster Anthony Edgar, who completed ninety minutes.
Chris Porter netted a match winning hat-trick, with Lee Croft also on target.
In the 6th minute, with their first attack, Derby took the lead. The ball broke in midfield and Ball sent PORTER clear, the striker rounded Aksalu before slotting home, despite appeals for offside.
United responded positively and Adams was a whisker away from getting the elusive touch to Chapell's low cross, with Philliskirk and Edgar involved in the build-up. At the other end James had to block the ball twice to deny Porter netting his second.
The visitors continued to press forward in a bid to double their advantage and it duly came in the 19th minute. A long ball from Pringle saw Porter outmuscle Roe, Aksalu saved his shot with an outstretched leg, but was powerless as CROFT followed up to lob the Estonian.
The hosts again went on the attack after conceding and had the ball in the net only to be denied by the assistant referee's flag after Warren had played in Tonne. Aksalu was then back in the thick of the action to keep the Blades in the game after a misunderstanding involving Warren and Philliskirk allowed Hendrick a clear sight of goal.
The latter stages of first half, including three minutes added time, fizzled away without any chances of note, leaving the Blades an uphill task in the second period.
United's quest to get back into the game took a blow just two minutes into the second half, when PORTER headed home from close-range after Croft's cross took a deflection off Roe to deceive Warren and Aksalu. Moments later United's goalkeeper had to be alert to stop Porter rounding off his hat-trick at the near post.
On the hour mark only Aksalu's brilliant double save stopped the visitors going four up. Croft beat Roe down the right and cut the ball back to Porter. He was denied before Witham saw his follow up tipped over the bar.
In the 65th minute the Rams made the game safe when PORTER fired home to complete his hat-trick after Davies had threaded the ball through United's backline. Aksalu was again needed to prevent Croft getting his second when Porter capitalised on slip by Warren and then he made the save of the game from point blank range stop Addison making it five with a powerful header.
Right at the death Philliskirk could have reduced the deficit but he shot wide from close-range to cap a disappointing afternoon for the Blades.
Blades: Aksalu, Brown, Roe, Lokberg, James, Warren, Chapell (Gardos 55), Philliskirk, Tonne (Pennycooke-Morgan 79), Adams (Ahmadi 65), Edgar.
Unused: Thomas.
Derby: Atkins, Davies, Pringle, Hendrick (James 74), Addison, Leacock, Croft, Porter, Ball (Witham 45), Doyle (Connolly 74), Martin.
Unused: Morch, Dillon.
