The trend continued after the break - a deft Elliott backheel setting Robbie Blake free while Michael Duff came within inches of converting a Thompson header across goal - as the Blades struggled to cope with their opponent's superior invention.
Striker Neil Mellor leads a host of players put on the transfer-list along with Eddie Nolan, Stephen Elliott, Neill Collins, Neal Trotman, Michael Hart, Richard Chaplow and Darren Carter.