New spot-kick sickener for the luckless Blades

Although Saturday’s Capital One Cup first-round exit at the hands of Burton Albion was nowhere near on the same scale as their League One play-off final spot-kick defeat to Huddersfield Town at Wembley in May, United manager Danny Wilson was nonetheless unimpressed.

“I’m not happy at all,” said Wilson. “Our performance overall wasn’t as clinical as we wanted it to be; we had a lot of possession, but when you don’t take advantage of it then it’s a concern.”

A collective groan echoed around Bramall Lane when the 7,073 crowd were reminded that the tie could go to extra-time and penalties – and eventually, after United twice fought back from behind against a spirited Burton side, it did.

In front of an empty Kop end, Stephen Quinn, Neill Collins, Kevin McDonald and Tony McMahon all converted. But Harry Maguire and captain Michael Doyle could not and United tumbled out.

Wilson, who handed competitive debuts to McMahon, Mark Howard and Shaun Miller, did, however, have the satisfaction of watching Nick Blackman, who signed from Blackburn Rovers on the eve of the game, mark an impressive debut with a somewhat fortuitous headed goal.

Just six minutes after being introduced at half-time, Blackman cancelled out Adi Yussuf’s impressive opener but Burton were not to be denied, and went ahead in extra-time through Cleveland Taylor.

United hit back when Collins followed up his own saved penalty to score after visiting captain Nathan Stanton had brought down United substitute Callum McFadzean.

In the ensuing melee, Zander Diamond was booked and Marcus Holness sent off for dissent but United could not capitalise and suffered as Taylor’s spot kick sent Burton through.

“For it to go to penalties, after the very same thing happening at Wembley, is ironic to say the least,” admitted Wilson. “But we have to put it behind us and focus on the start of the league season.”

Sheffield United: Howard, Maguire, Flynn (McAllister 90), Doyle, Porter (Blackman 45), McDonald, Miller (McFadzean 70), Collins, Quinn, McMahon, Williams. Unused substitutes: Westlake, Long.

Burton Albion: Atkins, Stanton, Diamond, Taylor, Weir, C. Palmer (Dyer 68), Yussuf (Webster 79), McCrory, Holness, Bell, Kee (Richards 60). Unused substitutes: Corbett, M Palmer, Lyness, Garnett.

Referee: T Kettle (Rutland).

Man of the match: Ross Atkins.