Henderson claimed the first-hat-trick of his career with a dramatic injury-time goal after Alvaro Saborio's late effort appeared to have secured a point for the hosts.

Blackwell, whose team were last night handed a home tie against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round, heaped praise upon the United hero's shoulders.

"There's no one better in the division," Blackwell told The Star. "I know there were a lot of people questioning why I brought Darius here.

"I hear them doing it all the time. But I've always known what qualities he's got and the things he is capable of.

"I can tell you now that there isn't a club at this level who wouldn't want him in their team.

"We've got him and we should cherish him."

Henderson took his tally for the season to 10 when, having already netted twice before the break, he smashed the winner with almost the last kick of the game. It condemned City to their first league defeat on home soil since Burnley's 2-1 triumph in December.

Blackwell added: "The most Darius has ever got in a season is 15.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on his shoulders but I'm sure he's capable of going beyond that now.

"Darius is a great leader and he's got bags of experience.

"A lot of people think he's just a target man. Although he performs that role exceptionally well, there's plenty more to him than that. Even if nobody else recognises his qualities, we certainly do."

Given United's difficulties with injuries in recent months, success inevitably came at a price, with Blackwell revealing that Jonathan Fortune could be set for a lengthy spell in the treatment room.

The centre-half, who has only just recovered from a serious Achilles problem, is believed to have ruptured a hamstring just seconds before the final whistle.