Rooney double ends Blades home run

Adam Rooney's double helped Birmingham cruise through to the fifth round of the FA Cup as Sheffield United's eight-match winning run at Bramall Lane came to a shuddering halt with a 4-0 defeat.

Birmingham teenager Nathan Redmond got the game's opening goal against the run of play by rifling in after a corner was only half cleared.

Irishman Rooney lashed home the second goal seven minutes before half-time to double the visitors' advantage.

Birmingham never looked back after Rooney had added that second goal although the Blades struck the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds shortly after the restart.

Wade Elliott added a third for the Championship side by crashing home with a thundering strike from 20 yards.

Rooney wrapped up the contest in the 78th minute with a side-footed finish following David Murphy's cross.