Sheffield United stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games - but could not come up with the knockout punch against 10-man Coventry in an action-packed Bramall Lane clash.

Both sides spurned chances to win a battle of the First Division's two hottest teams and goalkeepers Paddy Kenny and Morten Hyldgaard were in terrific form.

The result ended Coventry's four-game winning streak, but the point keeps them well in contention among the play-off contenders.

Player-manager Gary McAllister restored Dean Gordon to the Sky Blues' starting line-up, but he was booked in the first half and then sent off after 71 minutes after a bad tackle on Peter Ndlovu.

United went close in an end-to-end first half when Michael Brown - who struck a superb winner at Walsall on Boxing Day - was denied by Hyldgaard when he flashed in a 20-yarder, and at the other end Kenny tipped a Dean Holdsworth shot round the post.

Blades boss Neil Warnock recalled exciting young midfielder Michael Tonge after he was rested on Boxing Day, and he pulled a left-foot shot just wide of the upright.

Brown volleyed over the crossbar as United pressed forward in search of a breakthrough, and the visitors suffered a blow in the closing minutes of the half when Craig Hignett was taken off with an ankle injury.

But they still looked threatening and Jay Bothroyd went close with a long-range effort which was superbly tipped round the post by Kenny.

United surged forward in the second half and Hyldgaard twice had to be alert, first blocking a shot from Ndlovu and then keeping out Brown's header, before Tonge's rasping strike cleared the bar.

There was no let-up in the pressure on the Sky Blues and defender Phil Jagielka joined the attack to head wide twice, first from Tonge's corner and then when Robert Page swung in a free-kick.

When Coventry did finally get a breather, Holdsworth could not hit the target when he met Craig Pead's cross.

Both sides made changes in attack as they sniffed a winner, with Paul Peschisolido joining the United frontline and Gary McSheffrey entering the fray for the visitors.

But Gordon's dismissal took the wind out of Coventry's sails and they were pressed back on defence, with Tonge firing in a shot which Hyldgaard pushed around the post.

McCall cleared the bar with another effort and Wayne Allison saw a header saved, before Brown fired wide in United's last throw of the dice.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Jagielka, Harley, Murphy, Page, Brown, McCall, Ndlovu, Tonge, Allison, Kabba (Peschisolido 68).

Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Ten Heuvel, Montgomery, McGovern.

Booked: Brown.

Coventry Hyldgaard, Caldwell, Gordon, Konjic, Shaw, Safri, Hignett (Pead 45), McAllister, Bothroyd, Partridge (McSheffrey 69), Holdsworth (Eustace 81).

Subs Not Used: Mills, Montgomery.

Sent Off: Gordon (71).

Booked: Gordon, Pead, Caldwell.

Att: 20,465

Ref: R Pearson (Co Durham).