Flashback: 2006 - Neil Warnock sent off as Sheffield United and Leeds battle

Sheffield United chief
Neil Warnock is sent to the stand against Leeds in April, 2006 — Sheffield United chief Neil Warnock is sent to the stand against Leeds in April, 2006

The sparks were flying in a feisty Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane as promoted Sheffield United and a side seeking to join them back in the top-flight in Leeds United played out a spicy 1-1 draw on April 18, 2006.

Future Whites chief Warnock needed a police escort as he was sent from the touchline during a fiery battle - after venting his fury after Gary Kelly’s late tackle on Blades defender Craig Short just before the break.

The Blades were ahead after just 10 minutes as Eirik Bakke headed an own goal past Neil Sullivan.

But Leeds levelled through David Healy’s brilliant left-foot strike three minutes before the break.

Elsewhere, a late penalty from Derby County’s Tommy Smith earned the Rams a vital point against fellow strugglers Hull City, with Stuart Green having put the Tigers in front.

Another toiling side, Sheffield Wednesday, claimed a big 2-0 success at Brighton, thanks to a Gary Hart own goal and strike from an unlikely source in Burton O’Brien.

A wholly bizarre game in the third tier at Oakwell saw promotion-chasing Barnsley lead 2-0 at the break thanks to own goals from Lewis Hunt and Kevin Maher against Southend - only to be pegged back, with strikes from Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood earning the Shrimpers a point.

Danny Cadamarteri’s 75th-minute goal could not prevent Bradford City losing 2-1 at Gillingham, future Bantams player Mike Flynn getting the winner, while high-flying Huddersfield Town were undone by a Paul Hall double in a 2-1 home reverse to Chesterfield - David Graham having put Town in the lead.

Rotherham United secured a big survival win in a 2-0 success at Swansea, courtesy of an own goal from future Swans chief Garry Monk and a rare Gregor Robertson effort.

A goal just before the break from James Coppinger earned Dave Penney’s Doncaster Rovers a 1-0 home win over Walsall, to trigger a strong end to the campaign for the Rovers winger and the club.

In the top-flight, Middlesbrough - seeking glory in the Uefa Cup and FA Cup - beat West Ham 2-0 in a dressing rehearsal for their cup semi-final at Villa Park, Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Massimno Maccarone (pen) netting.

But the Hammers got their revenge in the last-four six days later.