Fleetwood 0 Sheffield United 0: Sharp and McEveley miss out as Blades exit on penalties

Goalkeeper Chris Maxwell was the hero of the shoot-out as he saved from Billy Sharp and Jay McEveley to hand the hosts a spot in the northern section semi-final.

Both sides struggled to get to grips with the gusty conditions at Highbury Stadium, which were not conducive to quality football.

Fleetwood were full of early running, with Joe Davis and Declan McManus both having efforts well blocked by the Blades’ back line.

Martyn Woolford worked hard as the visitors searched for a breakthrough, swivelling and shooting only to see his deflected strike go just the wrong side of the post.

The hosts came out hard again at the beginning of the second half, Nick Haughton’s powerful drive well gathered by George Long at the second attempt.

But United found their feet soon after as James Wallace jinked his way into the penalty area before going down under his own momentum rather than Jimmy Ryan’s challenge.

Terry Kennedy was inches away from connecting with a corner and the lively Stefan Scougall drew a fine save from Maxwell as the Blades continued to probe.

Fleetwood substitute Ashley Hunter almost won it late on as his superb chip came back off the crossbar, but neither side was able to break the deadlock, sending the game straight to spot-kicks.

Jose Baxter was the only man to score for the Blades as Sharp and McEveley both picked the same corner, only for Maxwell to keep both out and send his side through to the semis.

Fleetwood: Maxwell, Davis, Bell, Pond, Teixeira, Jónsson, Ryan, Haughton, Matt (Ball 58), McManus (Hunter 72), Hornby-Forbes (Grant 84). Unused substitutes: Sowerby, Gogic.

Sheff Utd: Long, K. Wallace, McGahey, Kennedy, McEveley, J. Wallace (Hammond 71), Scougall, Reed (Baxter 80), Woolford, Sammon (Sharp 71), Done. Unused substitutes: Howard, Freeman.

Referee: C Kavanagh.

Doncaster Rovers have signed defender Craig Alcock on a month’s loan from Sheffield United.

The former Peterborough United player is reunited with ex-boss Darren Ferguson.

The 27 year old’s latest appearance at Bramall Lane was in the 3-1 defeat of Rovers and he could make his first appearance when Rovers travel to face Blackpool on Saturday.