Town inched nearer a play-off place with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. An Andy Gray penalty put the Blades ahead before Ian Westlake equalised. While a draw was probably a fair result, United were lucky to escape without conceding penalties when Chris Morgan twice handled in the area.

Robert Page headed the first chance of the game over the bar from a corner. On 10, Alan Wright had a decent opportunity but he failed to test Kelvin Davis with his 25-yard freekick.

In the 17th minute, the Blues had a good shout for a penalty. Ian Westlake crossed from the left, Darren Bent laid the ball off to Jermaine Wright, whose 25 yarder flew over the bar off Chris Morgan's outstretched arm. Town players appealed but referee Eddie Ilderton wasn't interested.

Two minutes later, John McGreal made an important interception as Jack Lester broke through the Town defence inside the area.

United were having the better of it and nearly went ahead in the 22nd minute. Wayne Allison headed a cross from the right back across goal, the ball striking the top of the bar with Jack Lester appearing to impede Kelvin Davis. The ball bounced out to Andy Gray who shot over from six yards, the referee awarding an unexpected corner.

Lester, who early on had clattered into an advertising hoarding, picked up a yellow card in the 27th minute after he kicked the ball into Fabian Wilnis's head after he had fouled the Dutchman.

Just after the half hour, Ian Westlake struck a shot just wide from the edge of the Blades' box after Dean Bowditch had caught Robert Page in possession. At the other end, Gray hooked a long throw from the right wide of Kelvin Davis's post.

With six minutes remaining of the first period, Alan Wright received a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Dean Bowditch. As the half ended, Matt Elliott went in the book for a yellow card for a foul on Jack Lester.

The home side had had most of the play during a first half where neither keeper was really overly tested. At the break Dean Bowditch, who had earlier been hurt when clashing with Chris Morgan, was replaced with Richard Naylor, the Blues looking in need of height up front.

For the Blades, Jack Lester came off, presumably for an injury, the ex-Forest man having been the biggest threat in the first period. On-loan Derby striker Izale McLeod took over.

Darren Bent shot weakly at Paddy Kenny early in the new half, before the two clashed when challenging for a cross, the Irish international keeper picking up an injury which prevented him kicking for the rest of the match.

On 53 Kelvin Davis pulled of the first of three excellent second half saves, the Town keeper blocking from Jagielka at close range after Allison had headed down a Gray cross from a Kozluk throw on the right. From the resultant corner Davis again did well, diving low to his left to push Robert Page's header wide.

Naylor's introduction had seen Town get forward more and on the hour he hit a shot on the turn which Kenny parried. Ian Westlake followed up and headed the ball on to the keeper's right-hand post.

United went ahead in the 63rd minute. Darren Bent had been on the ground requiring treatment for several minutes with the home side continuing to play, when Michael Tonge skipped past Fabian Wilnis on the United left, the Dutchman catching the England U21 inside the area and sending him to the ground.

With Town fans angry that the Blades players had failed to do the sporting thing and kick the ball out to allow Bent treatment, Andy Gray sent a well-struck penalty to Kelvin Davis's left and into the net.

The Blues had probably had the better of the second half and the penalty award was particularly galling considering the referee's failure to award Town a spotkick in the first half.

On 66 Naylor headed a Magilton cross wide and Martijn Reuser replaced Tommy Miller in the Town midfield.

Five minutes later, the Blues got back on terms. Matt Richards brought the ball forward before slipping a pass through to Ian Westlake, who broke behind the United defence and slid the ball under Kenny for his sixth goal of the season, his second against the Blades.

Soon after, Jagielka shot over from six yards when latching on to an Allison knock back.

Kelvin Davis was again on his mettle in the 77th minute, brilliantly tipping a Jagielka shot from 30 yards on to the bar, a save which would have graced a game at any level.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Matt Elliott headed a Martijn Reuser freekick wide, before there was more controversy relating to the home side's reluctance to play the ball out of play to allow treatment for a Town player.

Reuser was tackled from behind by Morgan, the referee playing the advantage. United quickly picked the ball up and moved forward, leaving the ex-Ajax player in their half of the field.

With the Town fans again whistling and booing, Neil Warnock was visibly waving his side to play on, Fabian Wilnis eventually putting the ball out of play allowing physio Dave Williams on to treat Reuser.

Wilnis and a number of other players expressed their anger at Morgan both for the tackle and his team's failure to adhere to the unwritten rule regarding stopping play for injuries. Morgan picked up a yellow card for the tackle.

For once the Blades did show at least some sportsmanship, throwing the ball back to Kelvin Davis, an act which clearly didn't impress Neil Warnock on the touchline.

Town appeared happy with a draw which all but certainly takes the Blades out of the play-off equation, but could have gained all three had referee Mr Ilderton awarded a penalty in injury time. Darren Bent had sped away on the right and crossed, the ball striking Morgan's hand inside the area. But once again the referee ruled against Town.

A draw was probably a fair result, despite the Blues' penalty woes. The Blades' kick looked the correct decision, Wilnis having caught Tonge, but Morgan's first handball, from Wright's shot, was equally as clear cut.

Town will now hope that results go their way on Saturday and that next weekend will bring the win against Cardiff which will finally cement their play-off place.

Town: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, McGreal, Elliott, Magilton, Miller (Reuser 66), Wright, Westlake, Bent, Bowditch (Naylor 46).

Photo: Action Images

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