Burton Albion 1 Sheffield United 2: Former Blade denied chance to cause upset as Tonne pounces

The former Bramall Lane favourite saw his side beaten by goals from David McAllister and Norwegian Erik Tonne in a thrilling finish. Burton had often looked the better side and took the lead through Justin Richards in the 73rd minute.

The Blades made five changes from the side that won 1-0 at Yeovil on Saturday, with captain Nick Montgomery and leading goalscorer Richard Cresswell among the absentees from an experimental 3-4-3 formation.

The visitors showed signs of unfamiliarity as Burton looked the more polished side early on.

George Long, deputising for the rested Steve Simonsen, made a superb full-length save to keep out Ryan Austin’s free-kick in the 24th minute. The League Two side went even nearer to scoring three minutes later when Jacques Maghoma hit the crossbar.

But it was the Blades who squandered the best chance of the first half against the run of play when Daniel Philliskirk headed Mendez-Laing’s cross over a gaping goal when it seemed easier to score in the 42nd minute.

Richards brought the game back to life when he put Burton in front with a superb right-foot shot from the edge of the area.

But it took the Blades only four minutes to reply when McAllister fastened onto Harry Maguire’s long ball forward to shoot past Atkins from 10 yards. In the 80th minute, Tonne’s 30-yard shot somehow squeezed through the Burton goalkeeper’s hands and into the far corner.

Burton Albion: Atkins; Corbett, Moore, Austin, Blanchett; Maghoma, Dyer, McGrath, Phillips; Richards, Zola (Yussuf 67). Unused substitutes: Poole, Webster, James, Palmer.

Sheffield United: Long; Lowton, McGuire, Collins; Mendez-Laing (Tonne 74), Doyle, McAllister, Flynn; Slew, Porter (Marriott 88), Philliskirk (Parrino 46) . Unused substitutes: Simonsen, Connelly.

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands).