Sheffield United down Cardiff City to take another huge step towards promotion

But that is exactly what this match threatened to become as the hosts, who eventually prevailed thanks to goals from McAtee, Jack Robinson, Iliman Ndiaye and Ciaran Clark, were required to overcome stiffer resistance than the scoreline would suggest.

“It was a big response,” McAtee said, after watching second placed United take another step towards automatic promotion. “We’re not thinking about anything other than the next game and trying to get the points.”

Heckingbottom had warned that Cardiff would pose a sterner test than their league position might suggest. He was right with Sory Kaba’s penalty handing them the lead and substitute Connor Wickham rattling a post before Ndiaye pounced on Mark McGuinness’ error to make the match safe.

Clark, who had only been on a matter of moments, claimed United’s fourth as he foraged to meet a corner. Tommy Doyle’s sense of purpose, particularly when Cardiff were still alive, was crucial too.

“We are just trying to affect matches and James is doing that,” Doyle said, referring to his fellow midfielder who is also on loan from Manchester City.

For the umpteenth time since August, United were forced to make changes. Fortunately for Heckingbottom, however, the most significant was voluntary rather than enforced with Anel Ahedhodzic granted leave of absence as his partner gave birth. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international, one of the club’s most influential performers this term, should return to action for the campaign’s remaining six games. Possibly seven if his colleagues spring the shock of the century at Wembley by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Adam Davies, who is expected to make way for Wes Foderingham when his fellow goalkeeper completes a suspension, also started between the posts. A vastly experienced operator, the 30-year-old acquitted himself well enough - making a huge save to deny Joe Ralls on the stroke of half-time following a defensive lapse.

He had no chance of preventing Kaba from handing Cardiff the lead with Kaba drilling his spot-kick straight down the middle after Max Lowe’s boot, as he attempted to clear from Jack Simpson, was adjudged to be a shade too high by referee David Webb.

Having already been cautioned at the beginning of the contest, Simpson was fortunate to escape another when he dragged back Iliman Ndiaye. The stare the Senegalese cast towards the officials quickly turned to a smile, though, when McAtee danced into the box after receiving the ball from Sander Berge and caressed it into the bottom corner of the net.

Ndiaye twice went close but United were still way below their best. That was a result of both their own carelessness and the kind of performance from Cardiff which must make Sabri Lamouchi wonder why they are locked in a battle for survival.

Robinson briefly broke their resistance earlier in the second period with a superbly executed header from Doyle’s equally sumptuous cross. But the visitors were not done yet, with Wickham striking the woodwork during the closing stages before Ndiaye and Clark pounced.

“All wins are big,” Doyle said. “Now onto the next one.”