"We have played an awful lot better than that but I'm delighted with the result. Our keeper made two terrific saves and our back four were magnificent.
"This was a big game for us and it's never easy coming here because it is an intimidating place. It's nice to talk about the defence instead of saying how well we passed the ball or how we played up front because we are not used to clean sheets."
Asked about Town's promotion chances, Royle admitted: "We have a five-point gap but there is a long way to go."
Meanwhile Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock said his sides chase for automatic promotion was now over: "We have no chance of automatic promotion now. We are in a pack trying to get into the play-offs but we fancy anyone in the play-offs.
"I can't have a go at the way we played against a top side. Their keeper was magnificent, that's the best goalkeeping display I have seen for years at home or away. They were top drawer saves.
"Leigh Bromby had a great chance for us to go in 1-1 at half-time, we just keep shooting ourselves in the foot.
"But we have 15 games to go and I believe we can push all the way once we have finished with the FA Cup, although we will probably get to the final."