Sheffield United hit back to hold Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 in a pulsating derby at Bramall Lane.
United come from behind to hold Wednesday
Sheffield United hit back to hold Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 in a pulsating derby at Bramall Lane.
Both sides went into the match in good form but it was The Owls who found themselves 2-0 shortly after half-time thanks to a brace from Adam Bolder.
However, a Richard Wood own goal gave United hope and James Beattie curled home a stunning free-kick to equalise five minutes from time.
The point gained for the Blades has all but ended their play-off hopes, but on this evidence manager Kevin Blackwell has plenty to work with next season.
A win for Brian Laws' side would have lifted Wednesday up to 18th, but despite this spirited and adventurous display, which sees them leap-frog Leicester into 20th place, they still have it all to do if they want to preserve their Championship status.
Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny returned from a back injury, skipper Chris Morgan was recalled after suspension and defender Derek Geary was also back in United's starting line-up.
The Owls' only change saw teenage centre-half Mark Beevers return after a knee injury.
After a one minute applause in memory of Sheffield football legend Derek Dooley, who died last month, it was the Blades who threatened first.
Classic
Billy Sharp and Beattie tested Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant with early efforts.
Gary Speed was next on target for the Blades and Beattie's header was blocked by Wood before Wednesday responded through Jermaine Johnson, whose 20-yard drive on the run was held by Kenny.
The home side swept forward immediately and another curling effort from the busy Sharp was turned away by Grant for a corner.
It was classic derby fare. Naysmith's firm cross was met powerfully by Speed, but his header whistled over, as United looked to make their dominance tell.
But out of the blue Wednesday snatched an unlikely lead.
Franck Songo'o played Watson into the area after fine footwork and Adam Bolder raced in at the far post to head home the latter's fine cross.
Tonge then grazed the bar with a rasping drive as the Blades looked to get back on terms, but Kenny then had to pull off a flying save to deny Songo'o at the other end.
Stunned
Within seconds of the restart Stephen Quinn could have levelled 16 yards out, but he volleyed straight at Grant and soon after Beattie thumped a header over from Tonge's cross.
The Owls then stunned most of Bramall Lane for a second time. Songo'o's tricks on the edge of the area again opened the Blades' defence and when his venomous low shot was parried by Kenny, Bolder raced in to bundle the ball home off his thigh in the 54th minute.
Burton O'Brien replaced injured Owls midfielder Graham Kavanagh in the 58th minute.
Four minutes later the Blades were back in the match. Wednesday failed to clear in their area and when Beattie's touch fell to Sharp, the Blades striker's shot on the turn deflected off Wood beyond Grant.
Jon Stead replaced Blades midfielder Quinn almost immediately and the Owls' Polish striker Bartosz Slusarski, on loan from West Brom, was sent on for Ben Sahar.
Grant then pulled off a world-class double save to keep the Owls in front, first denying Stead and then a Beattie header as the game had a full house crowd on the edge of their seats.
With the clock ticking down and Wednesday clinging on to their advantage, Beattie finally broke their resistance when his superb free-kick flew into Grant's top right-hand corner.
