Scunthorpe 0 Sheffield United 0: McGinty has final say after goalless stalemate

The Blades won 5-3 on penalties after goalkeeper Mark Howard had saved the third home spot kick, from Andy Welsh.

The Blades had made six changes from the team beaten 1-0 at home by MK Dons on Saturday and gave a debut in midfield to deadline-day signing Florent Cuvelier from Stoke City.

They faced a Scunthorpe side which gave a full debut to former Sheffield Wednesday winger Etienne Esajas and a first start to striker Jimmy Spencer, on loan from Huddersfield.

A lack-lustre first half was punctuated by only the occasional threat at goal.

Callum McFadzean had the best two chances for the Blades.

First he tested Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe with a raking long-range shot.

Then, 10 minutes from the break, he should have done better than blazing over after a strong run to the edge of the box.

At the opposite end the home side went close when a looping close-range shot from Spencer was tipped over at full stretch by Mark Howard.

Esajas also had a couple of well-struck efforts for Scunthorpe, but neither side could break the stalemate.

Esajas again sparked at the beginning of the second half, pulling back a good ball for strker Sam Winnall who was denied his fourth goal of the season by a good save from Howard.

Sheffield hardly threatened in the second half as the game went to penalties.

Neill Collins, Jose Baxter, Conor Coady, Lyle Taylor and McGinty all scored from the spot for the Blades while Deon Burton, Andy Dawson and Terry Hawkridge replied for Scunthorpe.

Scunthorpe United: Slocombe; Ribeiro, Mirfin, Canavan, Dawson; Sparrow (Welsh 89), McAllister, Nolan, Esajas (Hawkridge 72); Spencer, Winnall (Burton 7). Unused substitutes: Severn, Waterfall.

Sheffield United: Howard; Westlake, Maguire, Collins, McMahon (McGinty 72); McGinn, Coady, Cuvelier (Baxter 65), Flynn; McFadzean, Ironside (Taylor 60 mins). Unused substitutes: Willis, Eyre.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire).