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Hartlepool United vs Sheffield United. Vertu Trophy Northern Area First Round.

Suit Direct StadiumAttendance2,221.

Hartlepool United 1

  • S Fenwick (51st minute)

Sheffield United 1

  • R Flynn (7th minute)

Sheffield United win 4-3 on penalties.

Sheffield United 1-1 Hartlepool United: Blades win 4-3 on penalties

Image: Marc McNulty: Scored in penalty shoot-out for Sheffield United

Sheffield United scraped past Hartlepool 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the opening round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

While Pools' Rakish Bingham, Rhys Oates and Nicky Featherstone scored, misses by Scott Harrison and Scott Fenwick proved decisive at Victoria Park.

The Blades had successful strikes from Michael Higdon, Billy Sharp, Marc McNulty and James McEveley to thank for sending them through in spite of Martyn Woolford's miss.

Sheffield United started impressively, Woolford seeing an effort saved by Adam Bartlett after just four minutes.

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A round-up of all the action from the opening round of the Football League Trophy northern section

Their opener did not take much longer to come, though, as Ryan Flynn found the net.

After a weak clearance was seized upon, McNulty saw an effort parried by Adam Bartlett, only for the rebound to fall to the midfielder - who composed himself and steered in.

Pools responded well after the interval, however, and levelled after 52 minutes.

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Bingham broke away with searing pace and fed Fenwick, who finished in style from 18 yards.

Both teams had chances to find winners thereafter, but it was the Blades who secured their place in the next round courtesy of the spot-kicks.