Keith Treacy's stunning strike gave Sheffield United a share of the spoils in a pulsating Coca-Coca Championship clash at Bramall Lane.

Matty Fryatt had put Leicester on course for three points when he deflected in Matt Oakley's shot early in the second half, but United rallied and struck level 15 minutes later when Treacy rifled in a 25-yard effort.

United looked the more likely to go on and win it, with Stephen Quinn twice going close, but the draw means both sides maintain their unbeaten starts to the league campaign.

Kevin Blackwell named an unchanged United team, after the 2-0 win against Watford on Saturday, while Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, who was revered for his playing exploits on the other side of Sheffield at Wednesday, made one change with Nicky Adams coming in for Lloyd Dyer.

Despite losing striker Steve Howard to a hamstring injury inside the first 10 minutes, it was the visitors that looked the most impressive side in the opening exchanges, defending stoutly and passing incisively on the break.

But against the run of play, and with their first effort on goal, United almost took the lead midway through the first half when Nick Montgomery's deflected effort looped on to the bar and Matt Kilgallon could only fire the rebound over from 18 yards.

The game opened up into a frantic hot-tempered affair and Leicester responded with chances of their own.

Adams fired over from 20 yards before flashing a dangerous ball across the goal and Dany N'Guessan could not connect properly with a header from six yards.

The first half continued in the same high-tempo fashion, but neither side could dominate and it was the referee Nigel Miller who was kept the busiest after both sides produced some tasty challenges, with Brian Howard booked for a particularly heavy tackle on Fryatt.

The hosts came out at speed in the second period. Buoyed by the introduction of Quinn, the Blades almost when ahead went Jamie Ward's stinging volley from 20 yards was well turned away by Chris Teale.

But their vigour did not last long and in the 52nd minute Leicester took the lead, albeit in fortuitous circumstances.

A free-kick was awarded 30 yards out, and captain Oakley drilled a low effort which struck Fryatt on the leg as it was going through a crowd of players, wrong-footing Mark Bunn and rolling into the net.

Blackwell and the Bramall Lane faithful demanded a response from their side and they got it in stunning style when Treacy, on loan from Blackburn, unleashed an unstoppable effort from 25 yards that rocketed into the top corner after 66 minutes.

United sensed the chance of victory and went all out in search of three points.

The influential Quinn twice went close to putting United ahead. First his curling free-kick was well tipped over by Weale and then his audacious 30-yard volley went narrowly wide.

The Blades continued to push but could not fashion a way through the Leicester defence as the entertaining game ended all square.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Bunn, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Taylor, Treacy (Reid 73), Montgomery, Howard (Quinn 46), Ward (Cotterill 88), Henderson, Evans.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, France, Bromby, Sharp.

Booked: Taylor, Howard, Treacy.

Goals: Treacy 66.

Leicester: Weale, Neilson, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, N'Guessan, Wellens, Oakley, Adams (Dyer 79), Fryatt, Howard (Waghorn 11), Waghorn (Andy King 83).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Morrison, Tunchev, Dickov.

Booked: Wellens, Fryatt, Oakley.

Goals: Fryatt 52.

Att: 26,069

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).