Henderson was on target as Blackwell's side completed a remarkable Carling Cup comeback at Huddersfield, scoring twice in the final minutes to book their place in Saturday's third round draw.

The United manager admitted the result failed to reflect their League One opponents' contribution to a match they dominated for long spells following Michael Flynn's first-half effort.

But, highlighting Henderson's display as one of the few positives, Blackwell said: "Strikers always feel there's a cross to bear if they don't score goals.

"But I've told him that you've added so much to us since you've come into the team.

"If there was one disappointment for me it was that Darius didn't get any protection.

"He had people going through him from the back, from the front and he was sandwiched heaven knows how many times.

"But he just kept on going and strikers take confidence from their goals so I'm delighted that he's got his."

Kyle Naughton netted just over 60 seconds after Henderson's dramatic intervention and Blackwell added: "There's a belief about the boys. We threw three strikers on and that came up trumps in the end. I wanted to give certain people a rest before the weekend.

"But the lads who played had to work their socks off and that's what they need; hard games, tough games.

"I'm pleased that, if you sometimes can't play well, then it's all about getting results.

"Winning is winning and it doesn't matter how you do it. There are a lot of clubs wishing they were in our position right now."

Meanwhile, speculation that James Beattie could return against Cardiff City increased when the centre-forward, who underwent a knee operation during the close season, completed a gruelling personal warm-up programme before last night's game.

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