Blades held as Bolder bags a brace

The Owls were denied a historic Steel City double at Brammal Lane as James Beattie restored an element of piggie pride with an 85th minute 30 yard free-kick. The Blades' late equaliser completed a comeback that wiped out dreams of a first win on the other side of the city since 1967 and a first league double since the 1913/14 season.

Wednesday were on the backfoot for large parts of the first half but swung the most important statistic their way 11 minutes before the break. Steve Watson picked out a totally unmarked Adam Bolder at the backpost and the on loan Queens Park Rangers midfielder planted a firm header past Blades keeper Paddy Kenny.

A second half revival from the home side never really came and there was pandemonium in the stands when Wednesday doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Franck Songo'o, a menace all night for Blades, cut inside from the left and fired in a low swerving right foot shot that Kenny palmed straight into the path of an oncoming Bolder who finished from close range in front of the 2,000 travelling Wednesday fans.

Wednesday's second goal sparked trouble in the stands as fights broke out between home fans and away fans in the home section. Police were eventually called in to remove the trouble makers but they were ugly scenes and it is yet to be seen if the FA will take further action on the Blades.

The Owls had to weather the storm and the game would be theres. But two minutes later the experienced Graham Kavanagh limped off injured and just minutes later the Blades had their lifeline. Lee Grant made a fine save from close range but his block fell straight into Richard Wood who could only watch the ball roll into the net for 2-1.

That goal spurred United and their porky fans on but Wednesday threatened at the other end with substitute Bartosz Slusarski testing Kenny.

Brian Laws' side thought they had done enough to hold on for a famous win until Beattie struck his 20th goal of the season with a free-kick that beat the wall and Grant at his near post.

Wednesday looked the more likely side to snatch a winner in injury time as a Songo'o cross from wide evaded everybody. In the end though it was disappointment for Wednesday that they had failed to take maximum points in their bid for league survival. The Owls have now drawn six games on the trot and lie precariously one point above the drop zone.

With a win and a draw though it is Wednesday, not United, who have the derby bragging rights this season.

Laws verdict: "The first thought that came into my mind was disappointment. When you're 2-0 up it's shut-up shop time. It was there to be lost, not theirs to be won. "It would have to be Beattie, wouldn't it, who puts the ball right in the top corner? But even then we still had a chance. It was all about composure in the end, we broke away and that last pass was the key." "That's the difference and we panicked, rushed the pass and end up with egg on our face." "But I've got to say there are some positives as well. I've got to give credit to the players, they were outstanding tonight. Sheffield United have been on a great run at home, but I don't think Blacky (Kevin Blackwell) was quite ready for what we produced tonight." "I'm gutted for the players because they deserved three points which would have catapulted us up the league."