Sheffield United added another game on to their impressive tally of consecutive games without a defeat when they battled hard for a point at Queens Park Rangers. A first-half strike from ex United midfielder Mikele Leigertwood put the hosts in front, but Richard Cresswell turned home his second Sheffield United goal to ensure the away side recorded a valuable point and make it 8 games unbeaten.
Kevin Blackwell made 3 enforced changes to the side which comfortably beat Crystal Palace on home turf a week ago. Andy Taylor and Ched Evans dropped out due to illness, and goal-scorer Lee Williamson tore his hamstring in the victory against Neil Warnock's contingent.
Latecomers were still entering the ground when Mikele Leigertwood's fortuitous finish ended up in the back of Mark Bunn's net with just a minute and a half played. The former Blades midfielder powerfully struck the ball 25-yards-out, and it was probably heading to the grasp of the United goalkeeper, but it took a nick off one of the bodies crowded in the penalty area.
The game, for the next 5 minutes, turned into an end-to-end showpiece, and United capitalised on an error from Watson. Loanee Toni Kallio rushed to the free ball and coolly slotted the ball to the marked Richard Cresswell - he got his left-leg to the ball and sent it into Cerny's top-corner.
Jamie Ward had a chance which you would usually see him tuck away, but the former Chesterfield marksman fired the ball straight into Cerny's midriff, it was with his unfavoured left-foot, though.
Ben Watson gave United a massive scare in injury time in the second-half. He headed the ball onto Bunn's crossbar; a few inches lower and Queens Park Rangers would have claimed maximum points as the Blades shot-stopper was rooted to his spot.
The game concluded with both managers happy. The single point leverages the Blades up one place to 7th. A Boxing Day victory at Leicester would move Kevin Blackwell's men into the play-offs, and if the Blades do beat the Foxes, 6th position could be bettered if Swansea lose; 5th place is there for the taking also. The final score from Loftus Road, is, Queens Park Rangers 1:1 Sheffield United.