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Gareth Davis reports from Pride Park Stadium

You could almost have written the script in advance as Rob Hulse popped up with his first goal in a Derby shirt to send his former side to a 2-1 defeat and end the Rams' long run without a win.

And it was a deserved three points for Paul Jewell's side as they held the upper-hand for long periods against the Blades.

Matthew Kilgallon's own-goal had been quickly cancelled out by Darius Henderson but all the chances were going Derby's way and among other efforts, they also saw a Tito Villa header crash back off the bar.

There was controversy when the Rams were awarded a second-half penalty, only for the decision to be overturned as Kris Commons lined up his spot-kick.

But Hulse's effort put paid to all of that.

Derby's return to action after the first international break of the season saw them name the same side for the third outing in succession.

That meant teenager Miles Addison kept his place in midfield against the Blades, while Paul Green was again wide on the right for the televised encounter.

There were, however, returns to the bench for defender Lewin Nyatanga and midfielder Stephen Pearson.

Derby had the better of the early minutes, with Tito Villa looking particularly sharp, and their first effort of note arrived with five minutes on the clock as Kris Commons curled a free-kick safely into Paddy Kenny's side-netting.

They were on the front foot again four minutes later with Villa again involved as he headed a long ball down for Addison, who couldn't keep his 25-yard shot under control.

And though they hadn't tested Kenny, the Rams' opening was certainly a positive one, backed once more by another vociferous home crowd.

Nick Montgomery was first into referee Chris Foy's notebook on 18 minutes for a lunge on Commons, as the winger embarked on a tricky run down the left.

It was Montgomery's first real challenge of the game though he had taken a nibble at Commons's heels a couple of times before during the same run.

Then the moment that one Derby player in particular had been awaiting almost arrived.

Paul Connolly hurled a throw in to the Blades' box where it found Rob Hulse, who turned smartly and was only denied his first Derby goal - against his former club - by a fine Kenny save.

The visitors' first threat arrived on 22 minutes as Greg Halford curled a 25-yard free-kick against the outside of the angle of post and bar.

Roy Carroll looked confident, though replays suggested he might have had difficulties reaching the ball, but it didn't matter just seconds later as the Rams went in front.

Commons was the architect with a fine cross from the left and though Green dived in to try and get there first, the final touch came from Matthew Kilgallon for an own-goal from six yards.

It was no less than Derby's start had warranted and it marked progress as they took the lead in a league game for the first time this season.

Their joy, however, was short-lived as the visitors soon levelled things up with a decidedly simple goal.

Halford found himself with the ball at his feet out on the right and his deep cross was headed home by Darius Henderson from close-range.

The next chance was Derby's as Villa met a Commons free-kick with his head, only to guide his effort over the crossbar and towards the visiting fans behind the goal.

And as with most of the game so far, the Rams continued to push forward with Przemyslaw Kazmierczak slipping the ball through to Commons, who carved out space for himself just outside the box before cracking a shot just wide of the post.

Commons looked to be Derby's most lively player as the half carried on and his knack of pulling something out of nothing produced two more shots from range, though neither seriously troubled Kenny.

The half's final chance fell to Billy Sharp, who curled a shot wide from inside the box as Derby went to sleep on a quick throw-in.

The Rams changed things around at half-time by introducing Nacer Barazite in place of Kazmierczak, who had been suffering from stomach cramps and was feeling unwell.

Barazite immediately headed out to the right and Green stepped inside to join Addison in the middle of the park.

Visiting skipper Chris Morgan saw yellow 90 seconds after the restart for a well-judged block on Villa that gave Derby a free-kick right on the edge of the box.

And again they were close as Barazite and Green set up Commons, who fired his effort just wide of the near post.

Dean Leacock then went in to the book after catching Stephen Quinn, though referee Foy indicated that it was more for repeat offending.

Barazite was getting involved and after he fired a shot over the bar from 25 yards, he helped feed Connolly down the right and the skipper's low cross was turned just over by Addison.

Addison was enjoying an outstanding afternoon again and after he broke up play in midfield well he sent Hulse racing away in to the box.

The former Blade looked set to pull the trigger only to be hauled down by Kilgallon.

Foy pointed to the spot and with Commons lining up his kick the Merseyside official then decided to go over and speak to his linesman, who was in position for the penalty to be taken.

Only then did he decide to inform Foy that Kilgallon had taken the ball and that a corner should be awarded instead.

Replays proved inconclusive and Pride Park Stadium - other than the visiting fans - fumed.

Leacock and Quinn exchanged efforts at either end of the field and on 65 Derby were inches away from restoring their lead when Villa smacked a header against the crossbar from Jordan Stewart's fine left-wing cross.

And the sense of injustice was well and truly lifted three minutes later - in customary football style.

Barazite found space on the right and his low cross wasn't cleared, only for it to sit up nicely and be gleefully smashed home from no more than eight yards by Hulse.

The former Blade opening his Derby County account against his old club - sometimes you can just write the script in advance and wait for it to happen.

But with a narrow lead against a good side comes nervousness and it wasn't a surprise to feel an air of tension growing around the crowd, if not on the field.

The home faithful held their breath collectively on 81 minutes as Henderson rose to meet another cross, this time from substitute James Beattie, but he couldn't direct his header past Carroll.

There was a touch more tension on 84 as Quinn stole in and shot wide of the near post, before Hulse left the field to a deserved standing ovation and was replaced by Nathan Ellington.

Another loud ovation followed with three to go to firstly appreciate the performance of Commons, and also the return of Stephen Pearson for his first Rams appearance in several months after his loan spell with Stoke City last season.

Beattie headed narrowly wide from a Sun Jihai cross as the visitors kept up the pressure and full-time ticked ever nearer.

But Derby did what they had to do as they broke their duck for the season with a deserved victory, and when the final whistle blew the volume level went through the roof.

Derby: Carroll, Connolly (C), Green, Stewart, Kazmierczak (Barazite HT), Commons (Pearson 87), Villa, Hulse (Ellington 84), Leacock, Addison, Albrechtsen.

Substitutes: Bywater (GK), Nyatanga.

Sheffield United: Kenny, Halford (Cotterill 73), Naysmith, Morgan (C), Kilgallon, Henderson, Sun Jihai, Speed, Montgomery (Webber 82), Sharp (Beattie 72), Quinn.

Substitutes: Hendrie, Geary.

Attendance: 28,473 (2,032 visiting fans).