Sheffield U 1 Tranmere 1: Pressure on Blades to hold off the challenge of Wednesday

Sheffield United’s hold on an automatic promotion place was loosened as neighbours Wednesday drew level with them on points but remained third on goal difference, nine behind the leaders.

The Blades led just after the half-hour mark. Chris Porter released Stephen Quinn down the flank and although referee Mark Heywood could have blown for a foul, he allowed the midfielder to progress. His short centre then found United’s leading scorer, who held off two markers and duly prodded home.

But Lucas Akins headed home John Welsh’s corner nine minutes into the second half to level the scores and change the pattern of the match.

Porter and Neill Collins, returning to action after being granted leave of absence due to a personal matter, and both had chances for the Blades, but their headers were saved by Rovers goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.

Midway through the second period, the Blades altered their shape when Williams replaced Porter.

Evans, now shadowed by Hoskins, saw a long distance strike charged down but United’s attacking verve disappeared along with the patience of some home supporters.

Taylor was booked in the 81st minute for holding back Evans before Hill and Hoskins made way for Cresswell and Beattie in the 83rd minute but the double substitution failed to reap reward.

Former Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore, who has returned to Tranmere for a third time in a bid to ensure they do not get sucked into the relegation zone, felt his side could even have won.

“I think we deserved a point for the willingness, the effort and the desire. I’m a little bit disappointed in the goal we conceded. It was sloppy. We had that fear factor and we worried a bit.

“In the second half, though, we were more committed and were denied a blatant penalty.

“We’ve come to a big club, everyone expected us to get beaten and this is one of our bonus points. We still need eight points. How we get them and where we get them we don’t care, but with performances like that we should be okay.”

Sheffield United: Simonsen, Lowton, Hoskins (Beattie 83), Doyle, Evans, Williamson, Collins, Maguire, Porter (Williams 71), Quinn, Hill (Cresswell 83). Unused substitutes: Montgomery, Howard.

Tranmere Rovers: Fon Williams, Bakayogo (Weir 88), Goodison, Showunmi, Welsh, Taylor, Holmes, Buchanan, Akins, Wallace, Brunt (Cassidy 66). Unused substitutes: Labadie, Robinson, Coughlin.

Referee: M Heywood (West Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Owain Fon Williams.