Blackpool 0 Sheffield United 0: Blades denied play-off spot as Sharp thwarted at Blackpool

Dean Hammond of Sheffield Utd skips past David Norris of Blackpool. (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportmage
) — Dean Hammond of Sheffield Utd skips past David Norris of Blackpool. (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportmage )

Neither side could find the killer touch in an entertaining end-to-end encounter at Bloomfield Road.

Conor Sammon struck wide at the near post after a drilled cross from Jamal Campbell-Ryce in the first minute.

George Long was then called into action low to his right by Brad Potts from an audacious long-range effort.

The link-up play between Blades’ leading goalscorer Billy Sharp and Sammon was clear to see as Sharp came closest to breaking the deadlock.

The former Leeds United striker, who has 14 league goals to his name, marginally caressed an effort past the post after being played in by Sammon.

Seasiders’ stopper Colin Doyle was forced into a one-handed reaction save from six yards as Sammon shot on the turn following a flick on from his strike partner.

Blackpool turned things around as they made all the running after the break.

Watford loanee Uche Ikpeazu had two chances to make his home debut one to remember late on.

He curled over the bar after turning his man before flicking an unchallenged header over from David Ferguson’s cross.

The Blades came close to stealing all three points at the death as Jamaican winger Campbell-Ryce saw his effort parried away by Doyle.

Blackpool: Doyle, White, Aldred, Aimson (Robertson 75), Ferguson, Yeates, Norris, Potts, McAlister (Ikpeazu 61), Philliskirk, Redshaw (Cullen 73). Unused substitutes: Letheren, Boyce, Herron, Osayi-Samuel.

Sheffield United: Long, Brayford, Collins, Edgar, McEveley, Coutts (Flynn 89), Baxter, (Woolford 86) Hammond, Campbell-Ryce, Sharp (Adams 70), Sammon. Unused substitutes: Howard, Reed, Calvert-Lewin, McGahey.

Referee: R Joyce (Eston).