Sheffield Wednesday 1 Sheffield United 1: Blades leave city rivals reeling as derby draw frustrates Owls

The Jamaican international, who was sent off in the same fixture last season after being substituted, was accused of elbowing Sheffield United striker Richard Cresswell.

Referee Chris Foy failed to spot the offence and, to rub salt in the wound, the Owls took the lead when Cresswell was off the field having stitches inserted into a nasty head injury.

Although Lee Williamson rescued a point for the Blades, manager Kevin Blackwell was still far from happy with events.

"You have got to question what happened to Richard Cresswell out there," said Blackwell. "It was a poor challenge and you should see the severity of the cut.

"It was so jagged and there was so much blood that the medics couldn't get the stitches in. Unless Johnson has got studs in his arm, that was definitely an elbow.

"Cressy knows that he was elbowed," Blackwell added. "Going 1-0 down when you are down to ten men is harsh – but life is full of injustices and you just have to carry on, don't you?"

Blackwell's men are resigned to another season in the Championship after other results over the weekend made play-off qualification mathematically impossible.

The Owls, meanwhile, are still stuck in a desperate fight for survival – one point adrift of safety in the relegation zone with only two more games to play.

Manager Alan Irvine, who was not aware of the 'elbowing' allegations until after the game, had recalled fit-again striker Leon Clarke to his side.

Clarke lined-up alongside Marcus Tudgay in attack with Luke Varney switching to the flank and Tom Soares dropping to the bench.

Blackwell recalled Williamson at the expense of veteran winger Glen Little while both Ched Evans and Henri Camara, who had been ruled out of contention in the week, were surprise inclusions on the bench.

The Blades made the better start and were unlucky not to go ahead when a header from Darius Henderson was turned on to a post by Owls captain Darren Purse.

Chants of 'Wednesday's going down' soon echoed from the Leppings Lane end but home supporters offered United reminders of the 'Carlos Tevez affair' in reply.

Cresswell was back at Hillsborough for the first time since joining the Blades in September and was inevitably jeered every time he touched the ball.

After half-an-hour, he spurned a great chance to silence the taunters, shooting narrowly wide after a flick from strike-partner Henderson.

But the incident which sparked such great controversy was just around the corner.

Tangling for a ball with Johnson in front of the main stand, Cresswell felt he had been deliberately caught in the face as the pair fell to the floor near the touchline.

During his absence from the field for treatment, Darren Potter broke the deadlock to send the home fans into ecstasy.

The goal was a beautifully directed volley from the edge of the area; Potter simply letting the ball do the work after meeting Varney's cross on the full.

As the Blades had won the toss and swapped ends, it meant Potter could also celebrate in front of the packed Kop.

Cresswell returned to the field for the re-start wearing a head bandage and pointed an accusing finger at Johnson.

After keeping his cards in his pocket before the break, referee Foy brandished four in quick succession as things began to hot up in the second half.

Andy Taylor was booked for a foul on Johnson, both James O'Connor and Stephen Quinn were cautioned for squaring up to each other, and Eddie Nolan went into the book for a foul on Quinn.

It was the latter offence that brought United's equaliser, Williamson curling a free-kick over the shoulder of goalkeeper Lee Grant and in off the far post.

For Blades manager Blackwell, who had ditched his normal tracksuit and trainers for attire more befitting a cup final, the goal was a massive relief.

Had the Owls been able to get into a two-goal lead, it would surely have tested the patience of the Blades supporters who, in the main, feel the season and a failure to reach the play-offs, has been a disappointment.

Blackwell was on the field at the final whistle, applauding those who had travelled across the city, and this result would certainly have helped to heal a certain amount of hurt.

In fairness, it was the Owls who looked the more likely winners near the end though.

Morgan's last-ditch tackle prevented Varney hitting the target and, with time running out, Varney broke clear down the wing but was unable to find one of three team-mates with his wayward centre. Johnson wasted another good chance deep into stoppage time as the Owls had to settle for a point.

As the rival fans trooped out at the end, the chorus of 'We are sending you down' struck a sore nerve with the Owls.

It won't be too long before everyone in Sheffield discovers whether this result was truly that decisive.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Chris Morgan

A rock at the heart of the Blades defence, Morgan comfortably won the battle with Wednesday's strikers and produced one vital last ditch tackle to deny Luke Varney.

Villain: Jermaine Johnson

The Owls winger was at the centre of a controversial tangle with Richard Cresswell that left the Blades striker nursing a head wound. He also missed a great opportunity at the death.

Key moments:

9 mins: The Owls have a lucky escape as captain Darren Purse, right, turns a header from Blades striker Darius Henderson against his own post at a corner.

30 mins: Blades striker Richard Cresswell shoots narrowly wide after running onto a flick from Henderson.

34 mins: Cresswell is forced off the field for stitches to a head wound after a tangle with Owls winger Jermaine Johnson.

37 mins: The Owls' first serious opportunity goes begging as the unmarked Tommy Spurr heads over.

42 mins: GOAL Darren Potter sends the Owls supporters into ecstasy – volleying Luke Varney's centre beyond the reach of goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

45+4 mins: Mark Beevers rises highest at a corner but his glancing header sails wide of the Blades net.

58 mins: Blades midfielder Stephen Quinn's low volley falls nicely for Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant to save.

60 mins: GOAL The Blades are back on level terms as Lee Williamson's free-kick sails over Grant's shoulder and in off the post.

69 mins: A vital last-ditch tackle by Blades captain Chris Morgan prevents Varney getting in a shot after running onto Clarke's ball.

84 mins: Jermaine Johnson's half-volley brings a save from Simonsen.

89 mins: Time starts to run out for the Owls and Varney snatches at a shot from the edge of the box.

90+2 mins: Another chance goes begging for the Owls as Johnson shoots over in a good position to sum up the afternoon.

Ref watch

Chris Foy: Showed a lack of awareness in the first period, missing elbows by Morgan and Johnson which probably warranted yellow cards. His determination to keep his cards in his pocket went out of the window after the break amid a flurry of bookings.

Verdict

Hardly a derby that will live long in the memory. A fair result but one that satisfied neither of the Steel City rivals. The Blades, now out of play-off contention, are denied a 'double' and the Owls are still in the relegation zone with only two games to play

Quote of the day

You want to be able to walk around this city and buy a bag of chips without being slated or someone putting something in it! – Blades manager Kevin Blackwell explains why it was important not to lose the Steel City derby.

Next game

Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday, away. Sheffield United v Swansea City, home; Saturday April 24, Championship.