Rotherham staged a spirited late comeback at Bramall Lane to claim a share of
the points in a fierce South Yorkshire derby in Nationwide Division One.
Two goals in the opening quarter of an hour after half-time looked to have
given United all three points.
Patrick Suffo and Paul Devlin had given the Blades a two-goal lead and it
could have been more as United twice hit the bar in the first half.
In the third minute Suffo beat Mike Pollitt only to see his shot rebound off
the bar.
Next it was Shaun Murphy's turn but his header was tipped onto the bar by
Pollitt.
It was the lively front duo of Suffo and Paul Peschisolido who caused
Rotherham most trouble in a gritty but mostly dull first half.
The game sprang to life after the break as United's two goals spurred
Rotherham into action.
They pulled a goal back on 66 minutes through skipper Kevin Watson.
He drove the ball home from 18 yards after a fine run and cross from Paul
Warne.
For the next 10 minutes United were under constant pressure but could twice
have extended their lead through Peschisolido, whose first effort was saved by
Pollitt in a one-on-one situation.
The Canadian then saw his second effort fly inches wide from the corner.
Rotherham continued to press but it was United who had the next chance as
Peter Ndlovu had a clear chance blocked from eight yards after Peschisolido's
good work.
United were left to rue their missed chances as Rotherham equalised with 12
minutes to go.
Watson's free-kick from the right was met by Chris Swailes who planted his
free header past the stranded Simon Tracey.
The second half was a true derby clash but Sheffield United manager Neil
Warnock will be left wondering how his side did not claim all three points.
Ronnie Moore, however, will be delighted with the determination that his
players showed.
Teams:
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Murphy, Page, Curle,
Montgomery (Devlin 45), Santos, Brown, Ndlovu, Peschisolido,
Suffo (D'Jaffo 76).
Subs Not Used: Sandford, Tonge, de Vogt.
Booked: Suffo, Uhlenbeek, Santos.
Goals: Suffo 48, Devlin 61.
Rotherham: Pollitt, Scott, McIntosh, Swailes, Hurst, Sedgwick,
Mullin, Watson, Monkhouse (Warne 45), Robins (Daws 64),
Richard Barker.
Subs Not Used: Beech, Gray, Branston.
Booked: McIntosh, Swailes, Watson.
Goals: Watson 66, Swailes 78.
Att: 22,749
Ref: P Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).
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