Blades late show denies Sky Blues

Tuesday 21 August 2012 22:56, UK

Nick Blackman earned Sheffield United a late 1-1 draw against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena in League One on Tuesday night.

The summer signing from Blackburn struck a deserved leveller with six minutes remaining to cancel out a 62nd-minute strike from Stephen Elliott. United enjoyed the better territory in the first half but failed to turn it into clear-cut chances, with a notable goalline clearance from former Sheffield Wednesday defender Richard Wood keeping the sides on level terms. And United were made to pay after the interval as Coventry, who have seen nine players go and as many arrive following relegation from the Championship, got into their rhythm. The Sky Blues appeared to have taken the lead on the hour mark when French recruit Kevin Malaga headed down a corner, the ball bobbling perilously close to the line before visiting goalkeeper Mark Howard grabbed it. Yet the home side only had to wait two minutes to forge ahead. A long ball from 'keeper Joe Murphy was flicked on to Elliott, who found the net with a fine left-footed finish. But United kept plugging away and Blackman earned a point when he turned home a Shaun Miller cross late on.