Kevin Blackwell declared himself pleased with his first game in charge of Sheffield United as they drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.The former Leeds and Luton boss, who was previously assistant to Neil Warnock at Bramall Lane, replaced Bryan Robson on Friday and saw United hold Middlesbrough to a goalless draw in the FA Cup fifth round.

"I'm really pleased with them today," Blackwell told Sky Sports. "Mark Schwarzer's pulled off two great saves, one from Beatts (James Beattie) just before half-time. I don't know whether he got a touch to it or not but that would have been a great time to score.

"We've got to believe in ourselves. There's a decent set of players here, it's a terrific stadium, a great crowd, there's plenty to build on."

Beattie's free-kick on the stroke of half-time, which struck a post, was the closest either side came to a goal.

The routine fooled Boro, with Beattie and Michael Tonge running into each other before the striker powered his effort towards goal.

Blackwell said: "We said we wanted to do something a bit different and the cameras are here, let everyone see how clever the players can be and it worked absolutely to a 'T'.

"We only spent half an hour on it yesterday morning but those little things can win you games and it was just unfortunate it didn't win the game today."

Middlesbrough will be favourites to win the replay, and Blackwell believes his players have their work cut out to reach the quarter-finals.

"Tomorrow we'll know who we've got in the hat so it's a great incentive for Boro and for ourselves but with all due respect, they're a top Premier League side and they're on a good run of form," he said. "We knew it was going to be a good test and I'm delighted the players stood up to it."

The Blades are languishing in 16th place in the Championship, but their new boss believes this performance will give them a much-needed lift.

"They've got to believe in themselves," said Blackwell. "I think they're a good set of lads and some of the stuff they did today will give them that encouragement. The league position is something we've got to address and that's what we'll start doing tomorrow."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was pleased to secure a replay, especially after his side were given a tough time in the first half at Bramall Lane.

"I think we had the better of the second half, the first half was very scrappy, very even," he told Sky Sports News. "We made some good openings in the second half and finished quite strongly.

"We talked to the players about playing in the right sort of areas. It wasn't a pitch you could over-elaborate on, sometimes you've got to play the conditions and it's a game not too many people will remember but we got the result and that's the most important thing."

Southgate has seen his striking options increase with the return of Mido from injury and the arrival of £12million man Afonso Alves.

"It's important because we've got important matches ahead of us both in the league and the cup so there'll be opportunities for everybody," said Southgate. "I thought Mido did very well for us today. He gave us that physical presence up front we knew we'd need.

"The tie's still wide open. We've got to perform very well again to knock Sheffield United out. They've shown what they're capable of today.

"We knew that because they've been in the Premier League recently. All their players have got Premier League experience and it won't be any easier at home.

"We're pleased to have stayed in the competition because we saw lots of teams go out yesterday. We've got to make sure we keep the run going.

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