Lee Sandford broke the hearts of his former team-mates when he headed Sheffield United into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in the 87th minute of tonight's tie at Bramall Lane.

The former Stoke and Portsmouth defender had played five games for the Elm Park side earlier in the season but a permanent move broke down over personal terms.

But the Blades appeared to have been denied by one of their own former players - goalkeeper Sal Bibbo who produced save after save to deny United.

Bibbo, 23, was released by the South Yorkshire side three years ago and was only playing because of injury to Nicky Hammond and Steve Mautone. But if Reading are to survive in the first division he will be called upon again by boss Terry Bullivant.

United welcomed back both Vas Borbokis and Wayne Quinn after the pair had missed the last six games through injury.

Reading meanwhile made only one change to the side which lost to Tranmere last Saturday with Linvoy Primus returning to the side to replace former Crystal Palace man Gareth Davies.

It took just 20 seconds for United to shake their visitors. Primus miscued a clearance into the path of Dean Saunders. The Welsh international broke into the area and blasted a shot against Bibbo's left hand post. The ball rebounded to Quinn but the left back could not connect properly and shot straight at the Royals keeper.

Just three minutes later the Blades again threatened. David Holdsworth found Borbokis on the right wing and the full back's cross from the by-line appeared to be heading to the foot of either Graham Stuart and Gareth Taylor. But neither connected.

In the 10th minute Saunders again went close. A poor Primus pass was intercepted by Bobby Ford and the former Oxford midfielder crossed perfectly but the Welshman could only guide his header into the arms of Bibbo.

Eight minutes later Gareth Taylor baffled the Bramall Lane crowd when he raced through on goals from Quinn's pass and chose instead to shoot when an unmarked Saunders was screaming for the ball to his right.

After 25th minutes Bibbo produced his first brilliant save of the night to deny Saunders.

Martyn Booty and Phil Parkinson messed up a potential Reading attack and Stuart broke clear from the error. The former Everton man found Saunders on the edge of the area and Bibbo had to reach low to deflect the ball against the post. The rebound was kind to Bibbo and the ex-Blade gratefully held the ball.

It took just 60 seconds of the second half for Sheffield United to carry on their good work.

Holdsworth's ball to Stuart was flicked wide to Taylor. His cross was fast and low but it was Booty who was first to react and cleared from under his own crossbar.

Bibbo was again called into action four minutes later when he saved low at the near post to deny Saunders.

In the 55th minute Saunders produced an excellent defence splitting 40-yard pass but Andy Bernal was quick to react and cleared easily.

On the hour mark United again hit the woodwork but this time it was through a Reading player when Parkinson headed Borbokis cross against his own crossbar.

Just a minute later Bibbo again saved Reading when he reached high to push Borbokis's inswinging corner away.

Then three minutes later Bibbo had to race off his line to block Saunders' powerful shot at point blank range.

United boss Nigel Spackman felt a change was necessary and threw on Marcelo to replace Stuart.

The result was immediate. The Brazilian rose high to nod Borbokis' pass to Saunders but Lee Hodges cut across the Welsh international as the crowd screamed for a penalty.

Four minutes from the end Bibbo was again the hero when he saved point blank from Saunders.

But just one minute afterwards he was finally beaten. Borbokis crossed from the by-line and Sandford rose above Primus to powerfully head home.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Ford, Sandford, Holdsworth, Saunders (Katchouro 89), Marker, Taylor, Hutchison, Stuart (Marcello 76).

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Beard, Burley.

Booked: Stuart, Taylor.

Goals: Sandford 87.

Reading: Bibbo, Booty, Swales, Bernal, Primus, Parkinson, Bowen, Houghton, Morley, Asaba (Williams 83), Hodges.

Subs Not Used: McPherson, Ashdown, Meaker, Lovell.

Att: 17,845

Ref: N S Barry (Scunthorpe).