Hartlepool dumped Sheffield United of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win at Victoria Park.

Brown & Boyd send Blades packing

Hartlepool dumped Sheffield United of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win at Victoria Park. The League One side outbattled and outplayed their Championship counterparts and were good value for a comprehensive and comfortable win. Pool took the game to the Blades from the off and took the lead on just six minutes. Andy Monkhouse fed Joe Gamble and when his shot was blocked by Steve Simonsen, James Brown knocked in the rebound from 12 yards. On 48 minutes, Simonsen uneasily fumbled a low Brown shot wide for a corner. But he was beaten 12 minutes later from the spot. Antony Sweeney, played in by Adam Boyd, was pushed over from behind by Rob Kozluk and Boyd rolled the penalty home low as Simonsen went the wrong way. Joe Gamble almost made it three minutes later, curling a left-footed shot wide from 20 yards. But Pool were easy victors, the Blades only shot on target coming on 90 minutes - substitute Kyle Bartley's effort headed away by Monkhouse.