Kevin Blackwell must take his Sheffield United team to Middlesbrough for a replay after the two sides drew 0-0 in the FA Cup at Bramall Lane.James Beattie came closest to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick which struck the face of the Boro post right on the stroke of half-time - but honours remained even after a scrappy and frenetic fifth-round tie.
In his first game back at Bramall Lane, Blackwell sent out an attacking side with Beattie, Billy Sharp and Jon Stead all in the Blades line-up. Gareth Southgate left his attacking ace on the bench as club-record signing Afonso Alves was made to wait for his first Boro start.
The game was off to a fast start with both sides seeking to attack. Matthew Kilgallon went close for the home side as he tested Mark Schwarzer with a dipping effort from the corner of the penalty area in the sixth minute which the Boro keeper was forced to parry. Lee Martin was inches away from converting the rebound but the visitors managed to clear.
Sharp was flat-footed when Derek Geary's centre was allowed to run by Emanuel Pogatetz before Stewart Downing tested Paddy Kenny's handling. Mido then wasted an opportunity in the 26th minute to play in Jeremie Alliadiere when the duo found themselves in a 2v1 situation with the Blades caught short at the back.
Stead headed Martin's corner narrowly wide of the post in the 28th minute before the half came to an exciting close.
David Wheater was lucky to avoid a red card when he pulled back Sharp as he was bearing down on the Boro goal but after Michael Tonge's free-kick hit the wall, the Blades were presented with the chance to try again as Julio Arca impeded Stephen Quinn.
This time on the stroke of half-time, Beattie bent the ball around the Boro wall following a clever routine but the former England striker was denied by Schwarzer's post with the Aussie keeper beaten.
The close call before the break stirred Boro into action as they started the second period much the brighter side, going close on four occasions within five minutes.
Mido's overhead-kick from the edge of the box in the 58th minute was tipped over by Kenny and from the resulting corner, the Blades keeper was forced into a similar save to deal with Wheater's free header.
Downing then sent a volley whistling wide of the right-hand post after Mido's exquisite pass which was followed moments later by Rochemback's volley from the edge of the box, also just wide of the target.
Blades substitute Chris Armstrong blazed an effort from the edge of the box over the bar before Southgate introduced Alves with 15 minutes remaining but the Brazilian had little chance to shine.
Pogatetz went close when his close-range header was blocked on the line late on but neither side really deserved to win a scrappy encounter.
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