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Blades earn Tigers replay

Image: Zayatte celebrates his equaliser

Sheff United and Hull will have to do it all again after a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup fifth round tie.

Zayatte strike denies Blades

Sheffield United and Hull City will have to do it all again after a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup fifth round tie at Bramall Lane. United got off to a flying start with Greg Halford headed home David Cotterill's inviting cross from the right after just seven minutes. Hull equalised on 34 minutes when United were down to ten men as Chris Morgan received treatment on an injury and the visitors took full advantage as Kamil Zayatte headed home Andy Dawson's free-kick. Both sides had chances to win the game in the second, but neither side could find the killer touch meaning the two sides will meet again at The KC Stadium for the right for a place in the quarter-finals. The game got off to a lively start with United attacking and Greg Halford delivering a low cross which evaded everyone in the area. Hull, having decided not to risk knee injury victim Jimmy Bullard, had their first opportunity when new captain Dean Marney drove forward but fired over. Paddy Kenny took the resulting goal-kick short and was then quickly closed down by Bernard Mendy as he received the ball back. The pair collided and Hull winger Mendy was booked after referee Andre Mariner, who had been unsighted, acted on an assistant's flag.

Opener

The Blades grabbed the lead in the seventh minute after Hull left-back Andy Dawson slipped and allowed David Cotterill to cross. Halford outjumped Sam Ricketts at the far post to plant a firm header past Boaz Myhill. Hull responded with Richard Garcia heading over from a Dawson corner. Geovanni beat several tackles as he attempted to pull Hull back into contention with a strong run but was finally halted on the edge of the area. At the other end Halford could have had a second after breaking clear but shot straight at Myhill when through on goal. United were forced to play with 10 men for a period just before the half-hour after Morgan left the field to receive treatment on what looked like a knee problem. It soon became apparent the defender could not return and Danny Webber was sent on shortly before Morgan was wheeled away on a stretcher. It was an option Kevin Blackwell, having already been limited to five substitutes by injuries, would rather not have used. Hull took advantage and levelled after 34 minutes when Dawson delivered a curling free-kick from the right and Zayatte got forward to glance a header past Paddy Kenny. United went close to regaining the lead in first-half stoppage time when Billy Sharp headed wide from another Cotterill cross. Hull appealed for a penalty early in the second half after Caleb Folan was released by a brilliant back-heel from Geovanni and went down as Halford challenged.
Penalty claim
Marriner was not interested but Hull had another good opportunity moments later as Ricketts crossed but Kenny parried Garcia's header. The Blades counter-attacked swiftly with Cotterill again finding space on the right but his cross was put behind for a corner. Myhill was also required to save bravely at the feet of Halford. Garcia then claimed to be tripped by Sun Jihai as the game opened up but again Marriner played on. Mendy got in a shot but Kenny turned the ball away for a corner. United were forced to play with 10 again for a second time when Halford needed a facial wound bandaged up. Mendy attempted to unpick the Blades defence but substitute Manucho was unable to make the most of an opportunity in the area. The game began to peter out with neither side able to find a way through in the final 10 minutes. The sides will now meet again for a place in the last eight a week on Thursday.
Sheffield United Team Statistics Hull City  
1 Goals 1  
1 1st Half Goals 1  
4 Shots on Target 3  
3 Shots off Target 6  
1 Blocked Shots 0  
5 Corners 4  
20 Fouls 14  
1 Offsides 0  
0 Yellow Cards 3  
0 Red Cards 0  
N/A Passing Success N/A  
N/A Tackles N/A  
N/A Tackles Success N/A  
54 Possession 46  
N/A Territorial Advantage N/A  

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